The Mozilla Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the Firefox browser maker, has laid off 30% of its employees as it reorganizes teams to increase agility and impact. The move is part of a broader effort to ensure a more open and equitable technical future, but has raised concerns about the future of advocacy and global…
Oil giant BP has announced the cancellation of 18 early-stage hydrogen projects, sparking concerns about the future of the nascent industry. This move is expected to have a significant impact on the development of green hydrogen, which has the potential to reduce carbon pollution in various industries. The decision is seen as a setback for…
A mysterious neurological disease known as “the laughing death” was killing women and children in Papua New Guinea in the 1950s. Autopsies revealed tiny holes in the victims’ brains, leading scientists to discover the role of infectious proteins, or prions, in the disease. Neurovirologist Michel Brahic’s new book, “The Power of Prions,” delves into the…
Archaeologists have discovered rare depictions of Stone Age net fishing on engraved stones at a 16,000-year-old German site. The findings, made possible by a digital imaging technique, provide new insights into the fishing practices of ancient hunter-gatherer groups. The discovery has significant implications for our understanding of the evolution of human societies and their relationship…
Archaeologists have discovered a massive Maya city, dubbed Valeriana, in southern Mexico using lidar technology. The city spans an area roughly the size of Beijing and has all the hallmarks of a Classic Maya political capital. Researchers believe that Valeriana was densely populated, with over 400 structures per square kilometer, making it one of the…
A team of researchers has made a groundbreaking discovery that could revolutionize potato farming. By understanding the genetic mechanism that controls nitrogen management in potatoes, scientists may be able to develop varieties that require less fertilizer, saving farmers money and reducing the environmental impact of potato cultivation. Forecast for 6 months: Within the next six…
Elon Musk’s acquisition of X has led to a surge in false and misleading information on the platform, with the billionaire executive using it as a propaganda machine in support of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Center for Countering Digital Hate found that Musk’s posts have been viewed over 2 billion times, with many of…
Printful and Printify, two veteran European companies in the on-demand printing space, have announced a merger. The move aims to unlock greater economies of scale, efficiencies, and profitability. The combined company plans to expand into more markets, serving solo-entrepreneurs to Fortune 500 companies. The merger has already passed regulatory review and received overwhelming support from…
Anduril, a defense tech company co-founded by Palmer Luckey, is considering building its first major manufacturing plant, Arsenal-1, in Arizona, Ohio, or Texas. The facility will employ thousands of people and produce tens of thousands of autonomous military systems annually. Anduril plans to use the facility as a prototype for a faster, cheaper, software-defined factory…
The tech industry is experiencing a significant wave of layoffs, with over 130,000 job cuts across 457 companies in 2024. Major players like Tesla, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft have all conducted sizable layoffs, while smaller startups have also seen significant cuts. The impact of AI and automation on jobs is a major concern, and the…
