August 2024 – Page 291 – Tech News Feed

Neuralink says it may have fixed its brain implant problem

Neuralink has published an update on the second patient in its early human trials, and it said that “promisingly,” it has “observed no thread retraction” in the participant. The Elon Musk-led startup implants a chip into the human brain, allowing paralyzed patients to control devices, browse the internet and play video games with their thoughts. It implanted a chip into its first patient back in January, and while the procedure went well, some of the implants’ connective threads retracted from the brain weeks later. That reduced the brain signals the device could receive.
For its second patient called Alex, the company employed mitigation measures to prevent the same thing from happening, or at least lower its probability. It said it reduced brain motion during surgery and also reduced the gap between the implant and the surface of the brain. The company hasn’t observed any thread retraction in the patient, so far. As for its first patient, it modified an algorithm to improve how his implant detects and translates signals after the was observed. It said the first patient’s threads have stabilized and his implant has since recovered.
Weeks after his surgery in July, Alex has already been able to use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design a custom mount for his Neuralink charger. The mount was 3D printed, and he has since added it to his setup. He has also been able to use his implant in conjunction with a mouth-operated joystick to play Counter-Strike 2 more effectively, because he can now move and aim at the same time.
Neuralink say it’s now working on making its chip capable of decoding multiple clicks and movements to “deliver full mouse and video game controller functionality.” It’s also developing algorithms that can recognize a user’s intent to write by hand, which would enable faster text entry. That would then allow people who cannot speak, such as those with ALS, to be able to communicate with others more easily. Finally, the company apparently plans to give its implants the capability to interact with the real world, so that people can use it to move their own wheelchair or a robotic hand to feed or clean themselves.
NEWS: 2nd Neuralink patient Alex plays the first-person shooter game Counter-Strike 2 on his laptop computer using the Link.Alex playing Counter-Strike 2: https://t.co/M1pikMoGSJ pic.twitter.com/ROQNYgeXao— ALEX (@ajtourville) August 21, 2024

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/neuralink-says-it-may-have-fixed-its-brain-implant-problem-130055143.html?src=rss

Neuralink has published an update on the second patient in its early human trials, and it said that “promisingly,” it has “observed no thread retraction” in the participant. The Elon Musk-led startup implants a chip into the human brain, allowing paralyzed patients to control devices, browse the internet and play video games with their thoughts. It implanted a chip into its first patient back in January, and while the procedure went well, some of the implants’ connective threads retracted from the brain weeks later. That reduced the brain signals the device could receive.

For its second patient called Alex, the company employed mitigation measures to prevent the same thing from happening, or at least lower its probability. It said it reduced brain motion during surgery and also reduced the gap between the implant and the surface of the brain. The company hasn’t observed any thread retraction in the patient, so far. As for its first patient, it modified an algorithm to improve how his implant detects and translates signals after the was observed. It said the first patient’s threads have stabilized and his implant has since recovered.

Weeks after his surgery in July, Alex has already been able to use computer-aided design (CAD) software to design a custom mount for his Neuralink charger. The mount was 3D printed, and he has since added it to his setup. He has also been able to use his implant in conjunction with a mouth-operated joystick to play Counter-Strike 2 more effectively, because he can now move and aim at the same time.

Neuralink say it’s now working on making its chip capable of decoding multiple clicks and movements to “deliver full mouse and video game controller functionality.” It’s also developing algorithms that can recognize a user’s intent to write by hand, which would enable faster text entry. That would then allow people who cannot speak, such as those with ALS, to be able to communicate with others more easily. Finally, the company apparently plans to give its implants the capability to interact with the real world, so that people can use it to move their own wheelchair or a robotic hand to feed or clean themselves.

NEWS: 2nd Neuralink patient Alex plays the first-person shooter game Counter-Strike 2 on his laptop computer using the Link.

Alex playing Counter-Strike 2: https://t.co/M1pikMoGSJ pic.twitter.com/ROQNYgeXao

— ALEX (@ajtourville) August 21, 2024

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/science/neuralink-says-it-may-have-fixed-its-brain-implant-problem-130055143.html?src=rss

The Weird and Wonderful Images We Got From Google’s Pixel Studio

Pixel Studio on the Pixel 9 Pro uses Generative AI to create images. These are our favs we’ve made.

The ad-free Kindle Kids has dropped below $100 for the first time this year

The Kids edition is the same as Amazon’s entry-level ebook reader, only with a few added perks. | Image: Amazon

I will be the first to admit that the Kindle deals we saw during Amazon Prime Day in July were lackluster at best. Only the note-taking Kindle Scribe saw a discount worth highlighting, though, thankfully, we’re starting to see prices drop across the entire lineup. Right now, for instance, the latest Kindle Kids is on sale for $94.99 ($15 off) — one of its best prices to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

So-called “kid” devices from Amazon are often misunderstood. The ad-free ebook reader is identical to the 11th-gen model rolled out in 2022, which remains the best budget option. It offers a sharp 300ppi display and USB-C support as well as up to six weeks of battery life with average use. The Kids version simply comes with optional parental controls, an extended two-year warranty, and one of several kid-friendly cases, none of which you are required to use. Amazon also includes a year of Amazon Kids Plus with each purchase, which provides access to ad-free games, videos, and books in the Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, and Harry Potter series.

If you want a larger display or IPX8 waterproofing, the latest Kindle Paperwhite Kids is also on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $134.99 ($35 off), nearly matching its second-best price to date. Like the standard Kindle, the 6.8-inch Paperwhite Kids is identical to the base model, only with optional parental controls, a protective case, and all of the aforementioned perks. That makes it a great option for kids and adults alike, especially at the current deal price.
Read our reviews of the latest Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

More deals and discounts of note

If you’re looking for a solution for your cluttered desk, Anker’s MagGo Magnetic Charging Station is available in white for an all-time low of $55.99 ($44 off) from Amazon (exclusive to Prime members) and Anker (open to all with promo code WSPEV2CMIDYA). The speedy orb-shaped power strip supports up to 67W of total power output and features two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC ports. It also sports a Qi2 charging pad that can supply up to 15W of power to MagSafe-equipped iPhones — specifically iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 models.
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is on sale at Amazon for $226.99 ($123 off) when you clip the on-page coupon, which drops it to the lowest price we’ve seen. For the most part, everything about the rugged Enduro model is the same as the standard TicWatch Pro 5 featured in our guide to the best Android smartwatches. However, Mobvoi’s newer wearable uses a more durable sapphire crystal display and offers even longer battery life — as if the 80 hours afforded by the original model weren’t impressive enough.
As part of its “Off to College” promo, Amazon is offering the latest Echo Dot with a free Sengled smart bulb for $29.99 ($39.99 off). Amazon’s fifth-gen smart speaker is one of the cheapest ways to add Alexa to your home outside of the Echo Pop, yet it still offers good sound for its size, a temperature sensor, and the ability to act as a Wi-Fi extender if you’re on an Eero network. Plus, it’s not quite as intrusive as the company’s smart displays, which feature overly bright screens and built-in cameras. Read our review.

The Kids edition is the same as Amazon’s entry-level ebook reader, only with a few added perks. | Image: Amazon

I will be the first to admit that the Kindle deals we saw during Amazon Prime Day in July were lackluster at best. Only the note-taking Kindle Scribe saw a discount worth highlighting, though, thankfully, we’re starting to see prices drop across the entire lineup. Right now, for instance, the latest Kindle Kids is on sale for $94.99 ($15 off) — one of its best prices to date — at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target.

So-called “kid” devices from Amazon are often misunderstood. The ad-free ebook reader is identical to the 11th-gen model rolled out in 2022, which remains the best budget option. It offers a sharp 300ppi display and USB-C support as well as up to six weeks of battery life with average use. The Kids version simply comes with optional parental controls, an extended two-year warranty, and one of several kid-friendly cases, none of which you are required to use. Amazon also includes a year of Amazon Kids Plus with each purchase, which provides access to ad-free games, videos, and books in the Artemis Fowl, Percy Jackson, and Harry Potter series.

If you want a larger display or IPX8 waterproofing, the latest Kindle Paperwhite Kids is also on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $134.99 ($35 off), nearly matching its second-best price to date. Like the standard Kindle, the 6.8-inch Paperwhite Kids is identical to the base model, only with optional parental controls, a protective case, and all of the aforementioned perks. That makes it a great option for kids and adults alike, especially at the current deal price.

Read our reviews of the latest Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

More deals and discounts of note

If you’re looking for a solution for your cluttered desk, Anker’s MagGo Magnetic Charging Station is available in white for an all-time low of $55.99 ($44 off) from Amazon (exclusive to Prime members) and Anker (open to all with promo code WSPEV2CMIDYA). The speedy orb-shaped power strip supports up to 67W of total power output and features two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC ports. It also sports a Qi2 charging pad that can supply up to 15W of power to MagSafe-equipped iPhones — specifically iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 models.
The Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro is on sale at Amazon for $226.99 ($123 off) when you clip the on-page coupon, which drops it to the lowest price we’ve seen. For the most part, everything about the rugged Enduro model is the same as the standard TicWatch Pro 5 featured in our guide to the best Android smartwatches. However, Mobvoi’s newer wearable uses a more durable sapphire crystal display and offers even longer battery life — as if the 80 hours afforded by the original model weren’t impressive enough.
As part of its “Off to College” promo, Amazon is offering the latest Echo Dot with a free Sengled smart bulb for $29.99 ($39.99 off). Amazon’s fifth-gen smart speaker is one of the cheapest ways to add Alexa to your home outside of the Echo Pop, yet it still offers good sound for its size, a temperature sensor, and the ability to act as a Wi-Fi extender if you’re on an Eero network. Plus, it’s not quite as intrusive as the company’s smart displays, which feature overly bright screens and built-in cameras. Read our review.

Bezos’ Blue Origin Suffers Fiery Setback Building New Rocket

An anonymous reader quotes a report from Bloomberg: Blue Origin sustained failures in recent weeks of testing including a factory mishap that damaged a portion of a future New Glenn rocket, the long-awaited centerpiece of the Jeff Bezos-backed startup’s push to take on SpaceX. The upper portion of one rocket crumpled into itself, in part due to worker error, while it was being moved to a storage hangar, according to people familiar with the situation.

In a separate incident, another upper rocket portion failed during stress testing and exploded, the people said. Repairs are underway, another person said, noting there were no injuries during either episode. The previously unreported incidents illustrate the hurdles Blue Origin is grappling with while ramping up production of New Glenn, which is four years overdue. At the same time, new Chief Executive Officer Dave Limp has hired a slate of executives to shake the company out of a years-long R&D slump.

With 145 sickened, 2 dead, microdosing candy poisonings are still a mystery

FDA keeps testing—and keeps finding new drugs. But they don’t explain the cases.

Enlarge (credit: Diamond Shruumz)

The number of poisonings connected to Diamond Shruumz-brand microdosing candies has reached 145 cases across 29 states. Since the illnesses first came to light in early June, 59 of those sickened have required hospitalization, and health officials have reported people having seizures, needing intubation, and being admitted to intensive care units. Two deaths are under investigation. Yet, despite tireless efforts to analyze the candies’ components, the cause of the poisonings remains a mystery.

Diamond Shruumz suggestively markets the chocolates—as well as its gummies and candy cones—as containing psychedelic drugs but doesn’t say what’s in them exactly. They’re only said to contain a “primo proprietary blend of nootropic and functional mushrooms,” and the company has identified non-hallucinogenic mushrooms, including Lion’s mane, Reishi, and Chaga.

In its latest investigation update Monday, the Food and Drug Administration laid out the testing results of 22 chocolate bars from Diamond Shruumz—and the list of illicit and troubling drugs found keeps growing. Stunningly, none of the drugs found so far can alone explain the severe illnesses.

Read 6 remaining paragraphs | Comments

The surprising cause of fasting’s regenerative powers

Comments

Big tech is flexing its muscle to try and ‘water down’ California’s AI regulation – here’s why that’s a problem

submitted by /u/MetaKnowing [link] [comments]

submitted by /u/MetaKnowing
[link] [comments]

Meta’s Oversight Board is reviewing posts related to political violence in Venezuela

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta’s Oversight Board is reviewing two cases of posts on Facebook and Instagram related to political violence following Venezuela’s contested presidential election. The reviews will be expedited in light of “exceptional circumstances, including when content could result in urgent real-world consequences.”
Venezuela’s presidential elections were held on July 28th. Both Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, and Nicolás Maduro, the incumbent president, claimed victory in the election. (Veneuela’s National Electoral Council didn’t initially release results, claiming it had been hacked. The result has since been disputed.)
In the weeks since the election, supporters of the opposition have taken to the streets in protest, claiming election interference. Some protesters have been killed by security forces, and the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal claims more than 1,500 people have been detained since the election. Armed paramilitary forces called “colectivos” are reportedly patrolling the streets in search of opposition supporters.
The posts under review by Meta’s oversight board both mention colectivos. Meta’s content moderators have noticed an influx in anti-colectivo content in the weeks following the election, according to a press release from the Oversight Board.

One video posted on Facebook shows a group of men on motorbikes who presumably belong to a colectivo. The caption urges people to “kill those damn colectivos.” Meta removed the post for violating its rules against inciting high-severity violence. A second video on Instagram, which shows a woman telling members of a colectivo, “Go to hell, I hope they kill you all,” was not removed because Meta’s content moderators found it did not include a call to action.
These posts, which have been flagged for potentially violating Meta’s rules, raise “critical questions about the balance the company must strike in moderating posts that could contain vital political criticism and raise awareness of human rights abuses in a repressive environment,” the board’s press release states. At the same time, the posts “may also employ violent language during such a volatile period.”
Meta’s Oversight Board has made similar deliberations over posts calling for violence against state leaders like Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2022, the board instituted a temporary change in policy allowing users in some countries to post content calling for violence against Russian soldiers or politicians as long as the posts didn’t include “indicators of credibility.”
The board announced it will now deliberate the two Venezuelan cases together and issue a single decision, “…which will be binding on Meta and inform the company’s approach to this type of content in Venezuela more generally.” The decision will be published within 30 days.

Illustration by Nick Barclay / The Verge

Meta’s Oversight Board is reviewing two cases of posts on Facebook and Instagram related to political violence following Venezuela’s contested presidential election. The reviews will be expedited in light of “exceptional circumstances, including when content could result in urgent real-world consequences.”

Venezuela’s presidential elections were held on July 28th. Both Edmundo González, the opposition candidate, and Nicolás Maduro, the incumbent president, claimed victory in the election. (Veneuela’s National Electoral Council didn’t initially release results, claiming it had been hacked. The result has since been disputed.)

In the weeks since the election, supporters of the opposition have taken to the streets in protest, claiming election interference. Some protesters have been killed by security forces, and the Venezuelan human rights organization Foro Penal claims more than 1,500 people have been detained since the election. Armed paramilitary forces called “colectivos” are reportedly patrolling the streets in search of opposition supporters.

The posts under review by Meta’s oversight board both mention colectivos. Meta’s content moderators have noticed an influx in anti-colectivo content in the weeks following the election, according to a press release from the Oversight Board.

One video posted on Facebook shows a group of men on motorbikes who presumably belong to a colectivo. The caption urges people to “kill those damn colectivos.” Meta removed the post for violating its rules against inciting high-severity violence. A second video on Instagram, which shows a woman telling members of a colectivo, “Go to hell, I hope they kill you all,” was not removed because Meta’s content moderators found it did not include a call to action.

These posts, which have been flagged for potentially violating Meta’s rules, raise “critical questions about the balance the company must strike in moderating posts that could contain vital political criticism and raise awareness of human rights abuses in a repressive environment,” the board’s press release states. At the same time, the posts “may also employ violent language during such a volatile period.”

Meta’s Oversight Board has made similar deliberations over posts calling for violence against state leaders like Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In 2022, the board instituted a temporary change in policy allowing users in some countries to post content calling for violence against Russian soldiers or politicians as long as the posts didn’t include “indicators of credibility.”

The board announced it will now deliberate the two Venezuelan cases together and issue a single decision, “…which will be binding on Meta and inform the company’s approach to this type of content in Venezuela more generally.” The decision will be published within 30 days.