‘Fire amoeba’ survives in hotter conditions than any
other complex cell. Nature.com article. Pull
quote: “Water samples from the [Lassen Volcanic National Park] stream looked
devoid of life under a microscope, but after culturing them with nutrients, the
researchers spotted the amoeba growing at 57 °C, within the stream’s
temperature range. The scientists slowly raised the temperature, sailing past
the previous eukaryote record of 60 °C. I. cascadensis was still able to divide
at 63 °C and was still moving around at 64 °C. Even at 70 °C, the cells could
form dormant ‘cysts’ that were capable of reactivating at cooler temperatures.”
Shingles vaccine may actually slow down dementia, study
finds. WashingtonPost.com article.
Pull quote: “Crucially, the study suggests that the shingles vaccine — two
doses of which are recommended for adults 50 and older or those 19 and older
with a weakened immune system — may help people who already have dementia.
Those who got the vaccine were almost 30 percent less likely to die of dementia
over nine years, suggesting the vaccine may be slowing the progression of the
neurodegenerative syndrome.”
How U.S. Export Controls Risk Undermining Biosecurity.
LawFareMedia.org article.
Pull quote: “Securing governmental authorizations for such [deemed]
exports can take a
month or more, but competitive pressures push AI labs to complete
evaluations in a matter of weeks. This timing mismatch forces American AI
companies into a difficult choice: delay product releases to seek export
licenses while competitors forge ahead, limit testing to U.S. citizens only and
sacrifice evaluation quality, or risk violating export controls and exposing
themselves to significant civil and criminal penalties. Our recent white paper discusses
these issues in greater technical and legal depth.”
Changing the rules of global chemicals trade.
ChemistryWorld.com commentary.
Pull quote: “Facing excess global supply of many basic chemicals, and with
little prospect of China’s industry backing off production to raise prices, the
US has responded with massive trade tariffs. These are intended to deter
imports and allow its own chemicals industry to maintain production and
profitability, taking advantage of cheaper feedstocks and lower energy costs
than European rivals. That has left Europe, along with other markets like South
Korea, and others across southeast Asia, bearing the brunt of the supply glut.”
Using AI in Professional Engineering. SCADAMag.Infracritical.com
commentary.
Pull quote: “So if you are a professional engineer, and you are thinking of
using an AI on your next project, remember this: It cannot take responsibility
for its actions. You are essential for review. Are you willing to stand behind
something that does not formally reason? Are you willing to approach your
classically taught profession with post-modernist practice? For now, my answer
is no. Some day, if the concerns I expressed above are addressed, I may change
my mind.”
Cyber Threats to Water Infrastructure: Insights from Josh
Corman. SecurityLedger.com commentary.
Pull quote: “As Josh points out, the lack of mandatory reporting laws for cyber
disruptions in critical infrastructure like water utilities means many
incidents like those detected in Littleton remain unreported, leaving gaps in
our understanding of the risks facing critical infrastructure and our defenses.
That amplifies the risks associated with integrating software and internet
connectivity into operational technology—advancements that, while beneficial,
have opened new avenues for cyber threats.”
Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Reminds
Broadcasters to Ensure They Comply With Best Practices to Prevent Cyberattacks.
Docs.FCC.gov notice.
Pull quote: “It appears that these recent hacks were caused by a compromised
studio-transmitter link (STL)—the broadcast equipment that carries program
content from the studio to remote transmitters—with threat actors often
accessing improperly secured Barix equipment and reconfiguring it to receive
attacker-controlled audio in lieu of station programming. Affected stations
broadcast to the public an attacker-inserted audio stream that includes an
actual or simulated Attention Signal and EAS alert tones, as well as obscene
language, and other inappropriate material.”
Strengthening Pharma Cybersecurity: A Guide for
Manufacturers. ForeScout.com blog
post. Pull quote: “This interconnectivity, while enabling benefits like
condition monitoring, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) measurement,
predictive maintenance, and digital twin capabilities, also creates new entry
points for cyber attackers. The need for scalability across multiple lines and
plants, customized applications, and seamless integration between IT and OT
systems means more software and firmware components are embedded throughout
production lines.”
Backlog List
• Manufacturer
issues remote kill command to disable smart vacuum after engineer blocks it
from collecting data — user revives it with custom hardware and Python scripts
to run offline,
• Ukraine
isn’t just hurling attack drones; they’re waging real robot warfare,
• Research
roundup: 6 cool science stories we almost missed,
• Trump administration tells Congress war law
doesn’t apply to cartel strikes,
• The mysterious rise of cancer among young adults
in the Corn Belt, and
• Climate
Change Made Hurricane Melissa 4 Times More Likely, Study Suggests.
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