Google to Expand Misinformation ‘Prebunking’ in Europe

After seeing promising results in Eastern Europe, Google will initiate a new campaign in Germany that aims to make people more resilient to the corrosive effects of online misinformation. The tech giant plans to release a series of short videos highlighting the techniques common to many misleading claims. The videos will appear as advertisements on … continue reading -> “Google to Expand Misinformation ‘Prebunking’ in Europe”

Russian Spacecraft Loses Pressure; Space Station Crew Safe

An uncrewed Russian supply ship docked at the International Space Station has lost cabin pressure, the Russian space corporation reported Saturday, saying the incident doesn’t pose any danger to the station’s crew. Roscosmos said the hatch between the station and the Progress MS-21 had been locked so the loss of pressure didn’t affect the orbiting … continue reading -> “Russian Spacecraft Loses Pressure; Space Station Crew Safe”

Russian Spacecraft Loses Pressure; ISS Crew Safe

An uncrewed Russian supply ship docked at the International Space Station has lost cabin pressure, the Russian space corporation reported Saturday, saying the incident doesn’t pose any danger to the station’s crew. Roscosmos said the hatch between the station and the Progress MS-21 had been locked so the loss of pressure didn’t affect the orbiting … continue reading -> “Russian Spacecraft Loses Pressure; ISS Crew Safe”

Kenya’s Electric Transport Plan for Clean Air, Climate

On the packed streets of Nairobi, Cyrus Kariuki is one of a growing number of bikers zooming through traffic on an electric motorbike, reaping the benefits of cheaper transport, cleaner air and limiting planet-warming emissions in the process. “Each month one doesn’t have to be burdened by oil change, engine checks and other costly maintenance … continue reading -> “Kenya’s Electric Transport Plan for Clean Air, Climate”

UN Eyes Revival of Millets as Global Grain Uncertainty Grows

While others in her Zimbabwean village agonize over a maize crop seemingly headed for failure, Jestina Nyamukunguvengu picks up a hoe and slices through the soil of her fields that are lush green with a pearl millet crop in the African country’s arid Rushinga district. “These crops don’t get affected by drought, they are quick … continue reading -> “UN Eyes Revival of Millets as Global Grain Uncertainty Grows”

Don’t Feed the Bears! But Birds OK, US Research Shows 

Don’t feed the bears!  Wildlife biologists and forest rangers have preached the mantra for nearly a century at national parks like Yellowstone and Yosemite, and for decades in areas where urban development increasingly invaded native wildlife habitat.  But don’t feed the birds? That may be a different story — at least for one bird species … continue reading -> “Don’t Feed the Bears! But Birds OK, US Research Shows “

Psychedelic Compounds Could Soon Be Billion-dollar Business for Treating Depression

Experts predict that psychedelic compounds could become a billion-dollar industry for treating depression and trauma after initial clinical trials in the United States show promising results. Out of respect for medical privacy some full names were not used. Aron Ranen has the story from New York. …

SpaceX Ignites Giant Starship Rocket in Crucial Pad Test

SpaceX is a big step closer to sending its giant Starship spacecraft into orbit, completing an engine-firing test at the launch pad on Thursday. Thirty-one of the 33 first-stage booster engines ignited simultaneously for about 10 seconds in south Texas. The team turned off one engine before sending the firing command and another engine shut … continue reading -> “SpaceX Ignites Giant Starship Rocket in Crucial Pad Test”

Several US Universities to Experiment With Micro Nuclear Power 

If your image of nuclear power is giant, cylindrical concrete cooling towers pouring out steam on a site that takes up hundreds of acres of land, soon there will be an alternative: tiny nuclear reactors that produce only one-hundredth the electricity and can even be delivered on a truck. Small but meaningful amounts of electricity … continue reading -> “Several US Universities to Experiment With Micro Nuclear Power “

Australian Defense Department to Remove Chinese-Made Cameras

Australia’s Defense Department will remove surveillance cameras made by Chinese Communist Party-linked companies from its buildings, the government said Thursday after the U.S. and Britain made similar moves. The Australian newspaper reported Thursday that at least 913 cameras, intercoms, electronic entry systems and video recorders developed and manufactured by Chinese companies Hikvision and Dahua are … continue reading -> “Australian Defense Department to Remove Chinese-Made Cameras”

Sudan’s Tropical Disease Spike Reflects Poor Health System

The two Sudanese women thought they had malaria and were taking their medication, but things took a dire turn. Both complained of a splitting headache and fever that didn’t respond to the antimalaria treatment. By the time she was diagnosed with dengue fever, Raqiya Abdsalam was unconscious. “Soon after they examined me, I fell into … continue reading -> “Sudan’s Tropical Disease Spike Reflects Poor Health System”

US Students’ ‘Big Idea’ Could Help NASA Explore the Moon

Last November, Northeastern University student Andre Neto Caetano watched the live, late-night launch of NASA’s Artemis 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a cellphone placed on top of a piano in the lobby of the hotel where he was staying in California. “I had, not a flashback, but a flash-forward of seeing maybe … continue reading -> “US Students’ ‘Big Idea’ Could Help NASA Explore the Moon”

Australia to Review Chinese-Made Cameras in Defense Offices

The Australian government will examine surveillance technology used in offices of the defense department, Defense Minister Richard Marles said Thursday, amid reports the Chinese-made cameras installed there raised security risks. The move comes after Britain in November asked its departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings. Some U.S. states have banned vendors … continue reading -> “Australia to Review Chinese-Made Cameras in Defense Offices”

COVID Treatment Shows Encouraging Results in Trial, Study Says 

A single-injection antiviral treatment for newly infected COVID-19 patients reduced the risk of hospitalization by half in a large-scale clinical trial, a study published Wednesday said. Stanford University professor Jeffrey Glenn, co-author of the study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, said the new drug “showed profound benefits for vaccinated and unvaccinated people … continue reading -> “COVID Treatment Shows Encouraging Results in Trial, Study Says “

Could a Sprinkle of Moon Dust Keep Earth Cool?

Whether out-of-the-box thinking or a sign of desperation, scientists on Wednesday proposed the regular transport of moon dust to a point between Earth and Sun to temper the ravages of global warming.  Ideas for filtering solar radiation to keep Earth from overheating have been kicking around for decades, ranging from giant space-based screens to churning … continue reading -> “Could a Sprinkle of Moon Dust Keep Earth Cool?”

Ex-Twitter Execs Deny Pressure to Block Hunter Biden Story

Former Twitter executives conceded Wednesday they made a mistake by blocking a story about Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, from the social media platform in the run-up to the 2020 election, but adamantly denied Republican assertions they were pressured by Democrats and law enforcement to suppress the story. “The decisions here … continue reading -> “Ex-Twitter Execs Deny Pressure to Block Hunter Biden Story”

Astronomers Astonished by Ring Around Frigid Distant World Quaoar

The small distant world called Quaoar, named after a god of creation in Native American mythology, is producing some surprises for astronomers as it orbits beyond Pluto in the frigid outer reaches of our solar system. Researchers said Wednesday they have detected a ring encircling Quaoar akin to the one around the planet Saturn. But … continue reading -> “Astronomers Astonished by Ring Around Frigid Distant World Quaoar”

US Students’ ‘Big Idea’ Could Help NASA Explore Moon

A serpentlike robot designed by students from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, could revolutionize how NASA astronauts explore the lunar surface. VOA’s Kane Farabaugh has more …

US State Court System, US, EU Universities Hit by Ransomware Outbreak

A global ransomware outbreak has scrambled servers belonging to the U.S. state of Florida’s Supreme Court and several universities in the United States and Central Europe, according to a Reuters analysis of ransom notes posted online to stricken servers. Those organizations are among more than 3,800 victims of a fast-spreading digital extortion campaign that locked … continue reading -> “US State Court System, US, EU Universities Hit by Ransomware Outbreak”

Doctor Accused of Spreading Deadly Meningitis Arrested in Mexico

Mexican police detained a medical doctor accused of using infected medicines that may have caused a mysterious meningitis outbreak in northern Durango state, after the disease killed at least 35 women in recent months. Another 79 people have been hospitalized with signs of infection. Police arrested the doctor who specializes in anesthesiology early Tuesday morning … continue reading -> “Doctor Accused of Spreading Deadly Meningitis Arrested in Mexico”

Ex-Twitter Executives to Testify About Hunter Biden Story Before House Panel

Former Twitter employees are expected to testify next week before the House Oversight Committee about the social media platform’s handling of reporting on President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden. The scheduled testimony, confirmed by the committee Monday, will be the first time the three former executives will appear before Congress to discuss the company’s decision … continue reading -> “Ex-Twitter Executives to Testify About Hunter Biden Story Before House Panel”

Microsoft bakes ChatGPT-Like Tech into Search Engine Bing

Microsoft is fusing ChatGPT-like technology into its search engine Bing, transforming an internet service that now trails far behind Google into a new way of communicating with artificial intelligence. The revamping of Microsoft’s second-place search engine could give the software giant a head start against other tech companies in capitalizing on the worldwide excitement surrounding … continue reading -> “Microsoft bakes ChatGPT-Like Tech into Search Engine Bing”

Google Hopes ‘Bard’ Will Outsmart ChatGPT, Microsoft in AI

Google is girding for a battle of wits in the field of artificial intelligence with “Bard,” a conversational service aimed at countering the popularity of the ChatGPT tool backed by Microsoft. Bard initially will be available exclusively to a group of “trusted testers” before being widely released later this year, according to a Monday blog … continue reading -> “Google Hopes ‘Bard’ Will Outsmart ChatGPT, Microsoft in AI”

Ukraine’s Blackouts Force It to Embrace Greener Energy

As Russia’s targeted attacks on the Ukrainian energy infrastructure continue, Ukraine is forced to rethink its energy future. While inventing ways to quickly restore and improve the resilience of its energy system, Ukraine is also looking for green energy solutions. Anna Chernikova has the story from Irpin, one of the hardest-hit areas of the Kyiv … continue reading -> “Ukraine’s Blackouts Force It to Embrace Greener Energy”

Blacks, Hispanics on Dialysis Get More Staph Infections Than Whites, CDC Says

Black and Hispanic adults on dialysis experience more staph bloodstream infections than white patients receiving the treatment for kidney failure, U.S. health officials said Monday. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), citing 2017-2020 data, said adults on dialysis for end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) were 100 times more likely to have a Staphylococcus … continue reading -> “Blacks, Hispanics on Dialysis Get More Staph Infections Than Whites, CDC Says”