Xbox CEO Asha Sharma said the company is working on making their next-generation console more affordable due to rising hardware costs. She also revealed that many physical disc games will soon have digital versions, allowing players to use old games on future Xbox consoles without needing the disc.
Key Facts
Xbox is facing higher hardware costs partly because of increased spending on AI technology.
Asha Sharma is focused on balancing affordability, efficiency, and performance for the next Xbox console, code-named Project Helix.
Many players will soon be able to convert about 1,000 physical disc games into digital versions.
Digital game versions may allow playing old games on future Xbox consoles without discs.
The exact way players will get digital versions of their physical games is not yet clear.
Unlike Sony, which plans to stop making physical discs for PlayStation games in 2028, Xbox wants to offer players a choice between digital and physical media.
Rising component prices, like for RAM, have led to higher console prices industry-wide.
Sharma took over Xbox leadership six months ago and is managing a major restructuring to improve the company’s future.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists have found a way to use two different genetic codes at the same time without changing every gene in a cell. This new method could speed up research in synthetic biology, which aims to create new types of proteins by changing the genetic code.
Key Facts
The genetic code turns DNA information into proteins, which are made of amino acids.
All living things use almost the same genetic code, making it hard to change.
Previous attempts needed editing all genes, which is very difficult.
Scientists use molecules called transfer RNAs (tRNAs) to help translate DNA into proteins.
The new method lets cells use two sets of genetic codes simultaneously without altering every gene.
This research is still early and hasn’t been tested inside real cells yet.
The work was led by scientist George Church and aims to make synthetic biology faster and easier.
Changing genetic codes could help create proteins with new functions, useful in medicine and industry.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Boston Scientific, a company that makes medical devices, said a cyberattack has disrupted its global operations. The attack started on Tuesday and is affecting how the company processes and ships customer orders while they work to fix the problem.
Key Facts
Boston Scientific announced the cyberattack on Wednesday.
The attack limits access to some of the company's computer systems and business applications.
The company has hired outside cybersecurity experts to investigate and contain the threat.
The timeline to fully restore all affected systems is still unknown.
The healthcare sector is a common target for cyberattacks, with 22% of known attacks in 2025 hitting this industry.
Boston Scientific makes medical devices for heart health, cancer treatment, and detecting gastrointestinal issues.
Boston Scientific’s stock price dropped by as much as 6% in early trading after the announcement.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A Seattle company called Interlune created a new way to mimic 15,000 years of solar wind exposure on lunar soil in just four hours. They used this method to develop and test materials that could help extract helium-3, a rare isotope found on the Moon, which may have future uses in energy and other fields.
Key Facts
The Sun emits helium-3 through solar wind, which has hit the Moon’s surface for billions of years.
The Moon’s lack of atmosphere or magnetic field means solar wind particles directly reach its surface.
Helium-3 is more abundant on the Moon than on Earth and has potential uses in fusion energy, cooling, medical research, and neutron detection.
Mining helium-3 from the Moon is of interest because it could be profitable and useful on Earth.
Lunar soil samples on Earth are scarce and limited, making testing for helium-3 extraction difficult.
Interlune simulated many years’ worth of solar wind exposure in a lab by bombarding lunar soil with ionized helium ions.
This accelerated technique successfully implanted helium similar to lunar conditions, confirmed by heating the soil and observing helium release.
Interlune will use this simulated lunar soil to test helium-3 extraction technology and sell samples to other companies.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Jamie Siminoff, the founder of Ring cameras, announced new privacy measures for the company. This comes as more people are worried about security cameras and how artificial intelligence (AI) is used in surveillance.
Key Facts
Jamie Siminoff is the founder of Ring cameras.
Ring is introducing new privacy rules to protect users.
These changes address concerns about surveillance by security cameras.
People are worried about how AI is used with these cameras.
The announcement was made during an interview on CBS Mornings.
Ring is a company that makes home security cameras.
The focus is on improving user privacy and security.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Sony will stop making physical game discs for PlayStation consoles starting in January 2028. In response, some PlayStation 5 users are protesting by avoiding gaming on their consoles for a week to show their disagreement with this move toward all-digital game releases.
Key Facts
Sony plans to end the production of physical game discs in January 2028.
After 2028, PlayStation games will only be sold in digital form.
PlayStation 5 owners are encouraged to not play or download games from August 23 to 30 as a form of protest.
Sony sent a mass email reminding users that game software is licensed, not sold, highlighting restrictions on use.
There is a history of mistrust between game players and game publishers.
Other gaming industry issues include boycotts over political or social reasons involving companies like Microsoft and Electronic Arts.
Gamers can still play physical discs on their current consoles or choose alternative options like retro gaming devices or PC gaming.
Retro gaming options include buying old consoles, using mini computers like Raspberry Pi with emulators, or dedicated retro handheld devices.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), used worldwide to diagnose mental illnesses, is planning to include biological factors in its next edition. This change aims to better reflect mental health conditions using measurable biological signs, called biomarkers, although such markers are currently limited in psychiatry.
Key Facts
The DSM is a key manual for diagnosing mental disorders and guiding research.
The current version, DSM-5 (2013), lacks biological measures for mental illness diagnoses.
Biological factors involved in mental illness are not yet fully measurable or understood.
Biomarkers are biological traits that can be objectively measured, like blood tests or scans.
Psychiatry currently uses no validated biomarkers except some for Alzheimer’s disease.
Mental illnesses are complex and influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors.
Psychiatric disorders are often overlapping syndromes rather than clear-cut illnesses.
The DSM’s upcoming edition will try to responsibly integrate neurobiology to improve diagnosis.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Meta has agreed to pay $17 billion to settle a lawsuit filed by 47 U.S. states over claims that its Facebook and Instagram platforms contributed to teen social media addiction. As part of the deal, Meta will add new safety features to protect children using its social media apps.
Key Facts
The lawsuit accused Meta of designing addictive features that harmed youth mental health.
The case involved 47 states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
The trial was taking place in federal court in Oakland, California.
Meta will introduce safety measures such as daily time limits and pauses for young users.
The settlement amount is $17 billion, with $353 million allocated to Virginia alone.
Meta was also accused of collecting data on children under 13 without parental consent.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified defending Meta’s child safety efforts during the trial.
The settlement is one of the largest consumer protection deals in U.S. history and ends the current trial.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Meta has agreed to make big changes to its social media apps Instagram and Facebook. This settlement ends a court case where several states accused Meta of creating products that make children addicted.
Key Facts
Meta is the company that owns Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads.
Several U.S. states filed a case against Meta accusing it of designing addictive apps for children.
Meta agreed to a settlement that requires it to change how Instagram and Facebook work.
The settlement is described as a landmark, meaning it is an important or first-of-its-kind case.
The changes focus on reducing addiction risks for children using these platforms.
The case highlights concerns about the impact of social media on young users.
The news story is still developing, and more updates may come later.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
A large wave energy testing site called PacWave South has recently opened off the coast of Oregon to test ocean wave power technologies. This site received approval from President Donald Trump’s administration, marking a step forward for clean energy, even though no wave energy devices are yet operating there.
Key Facts
PacWave South is the first large wave energy test site on the U.S. mainland.
The site is located near Newport, Oregon, and was developed by Oregon State University.
It received federal approval during President Trump’s administration after a review by the Energy Department.
The facility is connected to the electrical grid but has not yet started producing power because no devices have arrived.
The U.S. Department of Energy has invested nearly $150 million in building and locating the facility since 2016.
Marine energy uses power from ocean tides, currents, or waves and does not produce carbon emissions.
Federal estimates say marine energy could potentially supply about 57% of U.S. electricity needs.
The administration views wave energy as beneficial to national security, unlike offshore wind projects, which it has restricted.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Vholume is a fast-paced parkour-style video game where players run, jump, and slide through strange, futuristic city environments. The game offers different routes and challenges, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.
Key Facts
Vholume is inspired by other games like Mirror’s Edge and Half-Life 2.
Players move through urban, surreal settings using parkour moves like wall-running and power-sliding.
The game focuses on speed, timing, and smooth movement to reach level exits and compete on leaderboards.
It allows players to retry levels to improve their time or compete against other players' past runs ("ghosts").
Controls are simple, mainly using trigger buttons to jump or duck.
The game encourages experimentation with different paths and moves to find the fastest route.
Levels get more complex over time, adding puzzles and moving obstacles.
Vholume balances challenge with accessibility, letting less skilled players still progress.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Uber has introduced new features to help parents keep an eye on their teenager’s rides. These tools let parents track the trip and use safety options like recording audio during the ride.
Key Facts
Uber added features to help parents monitor teen rides.
Parents can see where their teenager is during the trip.
A safety feature allows parents to record audio during the ride.
These features aim to increase the safety of teen passengers.
The new tools are part of Uber’s effort to support families.
Parents have more control and peace of mind when their teens use Uber.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Rockstar Games has responded to leaked videos of the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6 game, calling the leaks upsetting for their team and saying this is not how they wanted fans to see the game. The company apologized for slow updates and promised a special preview on Netflix, while also taking legal action against the leaks.
Key Facts
Leaked videos of Grand Theft Auto 6 showing gameplay and story scenes began appearing online last week.
Rockstar Games said the leaks were "heartbreaking" and not the intended way to reveal the game.
The company apologized for delays in official updates and promised an upcoming Netflix preview.
Legal action was started by Rockstar’s parent company, Take Two Interactive, in a New York court to stop the leaks.
The leaked footage has been removed from social media via copyright claims.
The group behind the leaks claims they acted for players’ interests but also sought cryptocurrency donations.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is scheduled to release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox in November and is expected to be a major game launch.
Rockstar faces an employment tribunal in Scotland over accusations of unfairly firing workers who tried to form a union, which they deny.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
OpenAI, Nvidia, and Japanese investors plan to build one of the world's largest artificial intelligence datacenters in southern Ohio, costing about $500 billion and expected to open in 2028. The project will use a large amount of energy, supported by a nearby natural gas plant, but it has raised concerns because it is located near a former uranium enrichment site linked to local health problems.
Key Facts
The datacenter will provide 8 gigawatts (GW) of AI computing power.
OpenAI will lease the datacenter capacity for 20 years from SB Energy, a SoftBank subsidiary.
The project will use Nvidia’s AI computing technology.
A new natural gas power plant will be built to supply energy, funded by $33 billion from Japanese investors.
The site is partly on a former uranium enrichment plant that operated until 2001 and was associated with cancer and radiation concerns.
The project emerged partly due to the Trump administration’s tariffs and agreements with Japan in 2025.
The datacenter will create about 35,000 construction jobs and 2,500 permanent jobs.
Some local people are hopeful about the jobs and money, while environmental groups worry about health and pollution risks.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Scientists studied genetic data from more than 18,000 families with autism and found that genetic risk scores work best for people of European ancestry. The accuracy of these scores decreases for people from other ancestry groups, showing a need for more diverse research to make genetic tools useful for everyone.
Key Facts
Researchers analyzed data from 18,383 families affected by autism using the SPARK autism research project.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects communication and interaction and is diagnosed in about 1 in 31 children in the U.S.
Genetic scores estimating inherited autism risk are most accurate for people with European ancestry.
The further a person’s genetic ancestry is from Europeans, the less accurate the autism risk scores become.
In European ancestry families, a higher polygenic score is linked to a 28% higher risk of autism.
Genetic scores related to other brain and psychiatric traits like schizophrenia and ADHD also correlate with autism risk.
Scientists say these scores are not yet ready for use in predicting autism in individuals.
More diverse and larger genetic studies are needed to improve accuracy and usefulness of these risk scores across all populations.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
IBM has introduced the Granite 4.2 series of large language models (LLMs) designed for users to download and run on their own hardware. These models come in three sizes and focus on improved reasoning abilities, handling long texts, and supporting tools for tasks like web searching.
Key Facts
Granite 4.2 models are available in 3 billion, 8 billion, and 30 billion parameter versions, with parameters being settings that shape the AI's capabilities.
All versions use a decoder-only design, a common type of AI language model architecture.
The models can handle very long inputs of up to 128,000 tokens (words or parts of words) at once.
The 8B and 30B models underwent extra training to better use external tools like terminals, web search, and software utilities.
The 3B model supports tools but with less specialized training than the larger versions.
The main feature of this release is enhanced "reasoning" abilities, meaning the models can follow step-by-step logic to give more accurate answers.
These reasoning improvements may cause slower responses and require more computing power.
IBM focuses on reliability and predictable deployment rather than speed or cutting-edge innovation compared to competitors.
Interest in locally hosted models like Granite is growing because they reduce reliance on expensive cloud-based AI services and avoid ongoing fees.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
French astronaut Sophie Adenot performed her second spacewalk at the International Space Station. Alongside NASA astronaut Anil Menon, she worked on installing and connecting a backup communications antenna to improve the station’s link with mission control.
Key Facts
Sophie Adenot is a French astronaut from the European Space Agency.
She conducted her second spacewalk on August 26, 2026.
Adenot and NASA’s Anil Menon worked together outside the space station.
Their task was to install a spare antenna on the Z1 truss, which is part of the ISS structure.
They made electrical and data connections to restore high-speed communications.
This work helps keep communication between the space station and mission control strong.
The antenna is located above the Unity module of the ISS.
Spacewalks involve astronauts working outside the station in space suits.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Xtracycle's Swoop ASM is a cargo e-bike featuring an automatic transmission system developed by Shimano that shifts gears electronically. The bike combines smart shifting technology with a durable steel frame and cargo-carrying design, offering a comfortable ride and practical features for hauling goods or children.
Key Facts
The Swoop ASM is a cargo e-bike priced around $4,500.
It uses Shimano’s automatic transmission system to shift gears based on the rider’s speed and pedaling effort.
The automatic system can be turned off for manual gear control.
The bike has a “mullet” wheel setup with a larger front tire and smaller rear tire to improve load handling.
It features a steel frame, which provides comfort and stiffness, weighing about 70 lbs (31 kg).
The battery is placed behind the mid-motor and helps keep clothing away from the chain.
Adjustable features include a double-telescoping seat post and a quick-release front handlebar clamp for rider comfort.
Safety features include protective covers for the chain and rear wheel, plus a strong U-shaped kickstand.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Laurie Cox studies how bacteria in the gut affect brain diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Her work explores how the gut connects to hormones and women's health, which may help create personalized medicine.
Key Facts
Laurie Cox researches gut bacteria, also called the gut microbiome.
The gut microbiome may influence neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Her studies focus on how the gut interacts with hormones.
This research could improve understanding of women's health issues.
Personalized medicine means creating treatments tailored to an individual's biology.
The connection between gut health and aging is a key part of her work.
The article includes a mention of a morning routine to support gut health.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
Bill Gates has urged that some jobs be reserved only for humans to protect them from being taken over by artificial intelligence (AI). He also warned that governments are not ready for the big changes AI will bring and called for global cooperation, including between the US and China, to manage AI risks.
Key Facts
Bill Gates wrote a 6,000-word essay discussing the impact of AI on jobs and society.
Gates proposes setting aside "human reserved" jobs that only people should do, similar to nature reserves protecting wildlife.
He gave an example of healthcare workers caring for his father, saying robots should not replace human empathy in such roles.
Gates warns that many jobs will disappear forever as AI and robots improve.
Governments worldwide are not prepared for AI's wide-ranging effects on security, education, economy, and more.
He suggests the need for a global framework to handle AI risks, including cooperation between the US and China.
Gates expressed concern that reliance on AI in education might reduce critical thinking, especially among young people.
The essay is Gates's first major public statement about AI since a controversy involving meetings with Jeffrey Epstein.
Read the Original
Want the full story? Tap a source to open the original
article.
