Researchers from Duke Health and the University of Minnesota found that a simple blood test can predict the short-term survival of older adults by analyzing small RNA molecules called piRNAs. These molecules proved to be stronger predictors of survival than age or lifestyle habits. The study suggests that piRNAs could eventually help guide interventions for healthy aging.
Key Facts
A blood test can predict whether older adults are likely to live at least two more years.
The study involved researchers from Duke Health and the University of Minnesota.
The test focuses on small RNA molecules known as piRNAs.
Lower levels of specific piRNAs are linked to longer survival.
Researchers used AI and machine-learning to analyze data from over 1,200 blood samples.
The method was validated in a second group of older adults.
piRNAs outperformed other health indicators like age and lifestyle for predicting short-term survival.
Future research will explore how lifestyle or medications might change piRNA levels.
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Discord has postponed plans to verify the age of its users after receiving negative feedback. The company plans to roll out age verification later in the year but is developing new methods to verify users' ages that do not involve scanning IDs or faces. Discord aims to comply with various international and state-level social media regulations while addressing user privacy concerns.
Key Facts
Discord delayed its age verification plans after user backlash.
The company initially planned to verify the age of all users by March.
New verification methods will avoid using facial or ID scans, potentially using credit card verification.
Discord has 200 million monthly users.
Less than 10% of users will need to verify their age once the system is implemented.
Discord already employs an internal system to estimate users' ages.
Concerns arose from a previous data breach, leaking ID photos of 70,000 users.
The company aims to align with global regulations for youth access to social media.
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Apple announced that it will start making some of its Mac Mini computers in the United States as part of a bigger plan to expand production in America. This decision aligns with President Trump's push for companies to manufacture more within the U.S. Apple also plans to build a training center at its Houston factory.
Key Facts
Apple will produce some Mac Mini computers in the U.S. for the first time.
The production will happen at Apple's expanded factory in Houston, Texas.
Currently, the Mac Mini is primarily made in Asia and represents less than 5% of total Mac sales.
Apple previously promised to invest $600 billion in the U.S.
President Trump has pressured companies to move production to the U.S. and mentioned potential tariffs if Apple did not comply.
Apple has paid over $3 billion in tariffs under Trump's administration.
Apple plans an advanced manufacturing training center at its Houston location.
Apple's U.S. investment plans are reportedly influenced by Trump's policies, though changes in Apple's supply chain are expected to take time.
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The U.S. Department of Defense has given Anthropic a deadline to allow its AI technology to be used in military applications. If Anthropic does not comply, the Defense Department may label it a supply chain risk and take further measures. Anthropic is cautious about its AI being used for autonomous military actions or mass surveillance.
Key Facts
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, warned Anthropic to comply with military AI use requirements.
The deadline for compliance is set for Friday evening.
Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, outlined concerns about using AI for automated military actions and surveillance.
The Pentagon clarified the current issue is not about autonomous weapons or mass surveillance.
Possible actions include invoking the Defense Production Act if Anthropic does not comply.
Anthropic's AI model Claude was previously used by the U.S. military in an operation.
Anthropic, along with Google, OpenAI, and xAI, have contracts with the Pentagon, each potentially worth up to $200 million.
Anthropic focuses on AI safety and publicizes safety reports about its technology.
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The article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is helping people regain their lost voices, featuring the story of Yvonne Johnson, who has motor neuron disease. It also covers AI's role in the computer industry, focusing on memory chip prices, and highlights the growth of video gaming in Africa.
Key Facts
AI technology can restore people's lost voices, using their original voice.
Yvonne Johnson, who has motor neuron disease, uses AI to speak again in her own voice.
The article includes insights from a large computer manufacturer about AI and memory chip prices.
Video gaming is becoming more popular and growing significantly in Africa.
The program is presented by Shiona McCallum and produced by Tom Quinn.
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Google apologized for sending a news alert related to the Bafta awards that included a racial slur. The mistake happened because of a problem with its system that sends out alerts, not because of its AI. Google has removed the alert and is working to prevent similar issues in the future.
Key Facts
Google sent a news alert that included a racial slur from a Bafta awards incident.
The racial slur was involuntarily used by a person with Tourette's syndrome during the ceremony.
Google removed the offensive alert and apologized for the mistake.
The issue was due to a problem with Google's safety features in its notification system, not its AI.
Google says only a small number of users saw the offending notification.
The company is working to improve its alert system to prevent such incidents.
The incident was highlighted by an online creator, Danny Price, on Instagram.
Google News is a widely used app in the US.
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Waymo is expanding its driverless taxi services to ten U.S. cities, adding four new locations in Texas and Florida. With substantial financial backing from Alphabet, Waymo is growing its fleet and service areas, aiming to offer more driverless rides. The company now has about 3,000 robotaxis in operation and plans to provide over one million rides weekly by year-end.
Key Facts
Waymo's robotaxi service is now available in ten U.S. cities.
The latest cities added are Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando.
Waymo is backed by $16 billion from Alphabet and others.
The company is expanding faster than rivals like Tesla and Zoox.
It plans to scale its service in more than 20 cities.
Waymo aims to offer over one million driverless rides each week by the end of the year.
About 3,000 Waymo robotaxis are currently operating in the U.S.
Many of these robotaxis are based in the San Francisco Bay area.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, until Friday to grant the military full access to its AI model. If Anthropic doesn't comply, the Pentagon may cut ties or use a special law to force changes in the AI model to meet military needs.
Key Facts
The Pentagon wants more control over Anthropic's AI model, Claude, for military use.
The Defense Production Act could be used to compel Anthropic to adjust its model for military needs.
The Pentagon is considering labeling Anthropic a "supply chain risk,” which might affect the company’s dealings with others.
Anthropic's AI model, Claude, is vital for sensitive military operations.
Anthropic is open to adjusting its usage policies but resists the use of its AI for mass surveillance or autonomous weapons.
High-level Pentagon officials attended a meeting to stress the importance of the issue.
The Defense Production Act allows the president to push companies to prioritize certain defense contracts.
The Pentagon may cut ties with Anthropic unless a resolution is reached.
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Steam Next Fest is a global event where independent game developers showcase demos of their games. The article highlights some of the standout game demos available during this event, explaining some key features and gameplay elements for each.
Key Facts
Steam Next Fest is an event for indie game developers to showcase their projects through demos.
"Apopia: Sugar Coated Tale" is a point-and-click adventure game with hand-drawn animations, featuring a character named Mai.
"Dadum The Dice" is a puzzle game where players use dice to defeat enemies with strategic moves.
"LUCID" is a platformer set in a crystal-punk world, noted for its tight controls, pixel art, and original music.
"Tombwater" combines western elements with horror themes, featuring soulslike and Metroidvania gameplay.
"Midwest 90: Rapid City" mixes horror with tower defense and management, set in a post-apocalyptic restaurant scenario.
Developers sometimes remove game demos when the event ends, so limited-time access is encouraged.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave a deadline to Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, to allow the military to use the company's AI technology freely. If Anthropic does not comply, it might lose its government contract, and further actions could elevate the military's access to its technology.
Key Facts
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth set a Friday deadline for Anthropic to allow military use of its AI tech.
Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, met with Hegseth to discuss this demand.
Anthropic develops the AI chatbot called Claude.
Anthropic has not yet supplied its AI technology to a new U.S. military network.
If Anthropic doesn't comply, it might lose its government contract.
The Pentagon could label Anthropic a supply chain risk.
The Defense Production Act might be used to give the military more authority over Anthropic's products.
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The new "Rook" trailer for the upcoming game "Marathon" by PlayStation Studios showcases a cybernetic character in a mysterious and atmospheric setting. The game is described as an extraction-shooter with visual storytelling elements, and its open beta begins on February 26th, with a full release on March 5th.
Key Facts
"Marathon" is being developed by PlayStation Studios.
The trailer features a cybernetic lead character named Rook.
The game is an extraction-shooter, which involves gameplay focused on collecting resources and surviving.
The trailer offers visual storytelling without dialogue.
The game originally started as a first-person shooter in the 1990s.
The open beta for "Marathon" starts on February 26th.
The full release of the game is on March 5th.
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"Paradise" Season 2, a popular post-apocalyptic drama, premiered on February 23, 2026. The show, which streams on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus internationally, consists of eight episodes. The story follows a character named Xavier as he ventures outside a bunker to find his wife while the community inside faces new challenges.
Key Facts
"Paradise" Season 2 started on February 23, 2026, with eight episodes.
The show is available on Hulu in the US and Disney Plus internationally.
The series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world three years after a major event.
Season 2 has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 89%, higher than the previous season's 86%.
Sterling K. Brown stars as Xavier Collins, alongside Julianne Nicholson and Shailene Woodley.
In the story, Xavier leaves a secure bunker to find his wife, while inside, the community deals with new tensions.
The first three episodes of Season 2 were released at the same time on the premiere date.
The show's trailer, released in January 2026, has garnered 29 million views.
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Google apologized after a notification containing a racial slur was sent to one of its users. The notification, related to an incident at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, was shared widely on social media. Google stated they are working on solutions to prevent such errors in the future.
Key Facts
Malynda Hale shared a screenshot of the offensive notification from Google on Instagram.
The notification was from The Hollywood Reporter about a BAFTA Awards incident involving a racial slur.
The racial slur appeared as part of a headline in a notification sent to Lydia René’s phone.
Google apologized, removed the notification, and promised measures to prevent similar mistakes.
The BAFTA incident involved John Davidson using a racial slur due to a Tourette's-related condition.
The BBC apologized for not editing the slur out of their broadcast.
The Instagram post with the screenshot went viral, receiving over 264,000 views.
Users noted the inability to report such issues directly through Google's notifications system.
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Insomniac Games announced that Marvel's Wolverine video game will be released on September 15, 2026. This announcement has been eagerly awaited by fans who have been anticipating the game for a while. The game will be available on PlayStation.
Key Facts
Marvel's Wolverine game will launch on September 15, 2026.
Insomniac Games is developing the game.
The announcement was made through a direct statement on social media.
Fans have been waiting for the release date for a long time.
The game will be available on PlayStation.
No new gameplay or trailer was released alongside the announcement, only the release date.
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Scientists recently discovered how horses make their distinctive whinny sounds. The high-pitched part of a whinny is created by a kind of whistle that takes place in the horse's voice box.
Key Facts
Horses make a sound called a whinny, which is a combination of high and low-pitched noises.
The low-pitched sound is created by air passing over tissues in the voice box, similar to human speech.
Researchers found the high-pitched part is actually a whistle from inside the horse's voice box.
A study showed that air vibrates tissues in the voice box, and a small opening lets the whistle escape.
Horses are the first large mammals known to whistle like this.
The study was published in the journal Current Biology.
Scientists think horses use these sounds to express a range of emotions.
Other animals, like donkeys and zebras, cannot make these high-pitched sounds.
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Reddit has been fined about £14 million by the UK's Information Commissioner's Office for not properly checking if its users are old enough. The fine is due to concerns that children could access harmful content because their ages weren't verified well on Reddit.
Key Facts
The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) fined Reddit £14.47 million.
The fine was issued because Reddit failed to check the age of its users properly.
This failure meant that children could access inappropriate or harmful content on the site.
Reddit claims it values user privacy by not asking for personal information, including age.
As of July 2025, Reddit began verifying user ages to follow the Online Safety Act requirements.
The ICO criticized Reddit's age-checking method as too easy to bypass.
Reddit plans to appeal the ICO's decision, arguing the demand for more user data goes against its privacy beliefs.
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A digital doorbell camera, part of the Google Nest system, helped law enforcement gather evidence in a missing person case, raising concerns about privacy and data handling. Google was able to retrieve footage from a device without a service subscription, highlighting issues around how personal data is stored and accessed. The popularity and market growth of doorbell cameras further emphasizes the need for clear communication from tech companies regarding data usage.
Key Facts
Doorbell cam footage aided investigators in a missing person case involving Nancy Guthrie.
The camera used was a Google Nest, and footage was accessed despite Guthrie not having a subscription.
Google retrieved the data from "residual data," a concept where deleted digital data may still exist until overwritten.
Doorbell cameras are widely used, with 27% of U.S. homes having one in 2024.
The market for doorbell cameras is projected to grow from $2.02 billion in 2024 to $6.84 billion by 2033.
Privacy concerns are prevalent, with tech companies like Amazon facing criticism for surveillance capabilities of their doorbell cams.
U.S. Senator Edward Markey expressed concerns over facial recognition in Amazon's Ring cameras, citing privacy risks.
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An old video clip of Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, known for his progressive views, has resurfaced, drawing criticism over controversial comments made in a series from 2014. Piker addressed these past remarks, describing them as attempts at humor and noting that his views have evolved. His actions and past videos have sparked debate online, with some defending him and others criticizing him.
Key Facts
Hasan Piker is a Twitch streamer who faced backlash over an old video series called "BroTips" from 2014.
A specific comment from the series that resurfaced was considered inappropriate and criticized by many online.
Democratic commentator Kaivan Shroff highlighted the clip on social media, leading to widespread attention.
Piker acknowledged his past style was more casual and claimed the controversial content was "satire."
He stated that his views have changed and emphasized that the remarks were made for comedic effect.
Piker's Twitch account was temporarily banned over separate recent comments related to immigration and Israel.
Some online users defended Piker, arguing that the old comments were a "gag bit" and should be viewed as satire.
Piker has collaborated with Democratic figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Ilhan Omar in efforts to engage young voters.
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The article discusses NBC's TV show renewals and cancellations planned for 2026. The network has renewed some popular comedies and Dick Wolf dramas while some newer series face uncertain futures.
Key Facts
NBC has renewed two comedies: "Happy’s Place" and "St. Denis Medical" for third seasons.
"St. Denis Medical" follows a mockumentary style and premiered in the 2024-2025 season.
Dick Wolf's five dramas, including "Chicago Fire" and "Law & Order: SVU," are expected to continue.
"Chicago Fire" has been renewed for a 14th season and is a long-running series.
"The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins" and "The Hunting Party" have uncertain renewal prospects.
"Brilliant Minds" has been pulled from the schedule after low ratings but hasn't been officially canceled.
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Steam Next Fest features upcoming co-op game demos that people can try with friends. These games cover various genres, including shooters, platformers, and survival games, and encourage teamwork and communication.
Key Facts
Steam Next Fest offers game demos designed for co-op play with friends.
"Far Far West" is a co-op shooter featuring robot cowboys in monster zones.
"Whisk" is a two-player platformer focusing on synchronized movement.
"We Gotta Go" is a horror comedy game set in a haunted mansion.
"Delverium" combines farming and dungeon exploration in a survival sandbox.
"Witchspire" involves players as novice witches navigating a fantasy world.
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