Month: January 2026

a list of New Year’s resolutions

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We tend to think that our body is like a machine that it wears out with use and the passing of the years. It is undoubtedly a mechanistic vision that is similar to seeing our joints like a hingeDNA as an instruction manual that does not vary as it is ‘imprinted in stone’ from birth. However, everything can change to lengthen our life. The habits of life. That at the beginning of each year we make a list headed by a change in the lifestyle habits we have, is certainly not a crazy idea. all because science knows that our habits do not burn calories or relax us, but rather they reprogram our genes. To this end, there are many published studies that offer us a general idea of ​​how exercise, sleep and social relationships act as “genetic activators” that can lengthen our life, or at least live it with fewer diseases. Exercise as a security patch. For years, the recommendation to play sports focused on having a healthier heart that pumped better. We now know that the impact is much deeper: reaches our cells and DNA. This is what different studies point out that show that exercise modulates DNA methylation. To understand this word, we can imagine DNA as a fuse box, and methylation are those switches that turn the lights on and off at home. Well, taking this into account, a sedentary lifestyle keeps the biological fuses that promote cellular aging active. A way to stay young. But the opposite happens when we have an active life with moderate physical activity: these changes in DNA are reversed so that our muscle looks much younger. And taking care of our cells is taking care of ourselves, since their aging causes us to age too. This is something that has been seen in an analysis of 3,000 human muscle sampleswhich confirms that those people more fitness They have “younger” genetic and gene expression profiles. But when there is inactivity we do not remain as if nothing had happened, but rather induces aging profile. Loneliness and chronic stress. If exercise optimizes our DNA to be younger, chronic stress and feeling alone completely corrupts the system. And when the body detects a hostile environment it activates a very clear defense mode: it increases pro-inflammatory particles. And when we talk about inflammation, nothing good can be behind, since it means tissue destruction and also being more prone to contracting diseases such as viral infections, which also leads to accelerated immune aging. The light. We live in a constantly enlightened societyand our body does not have its updated genetics for this, since it is still anchored in a time where there were no televisions, screens or anything. Only darkness at night on the street and also in the houses. And the application of light at different times of the day It has a consequence that we have already talked about: lack of melatonin. The problem is that melatonin is not just the “sleep hormone”; It is a biological signal that tells the body that it is night. By suppressing it, especially with short-wave or blue light from screens, we cause a chronodisruption. That is, we break the internal clock that we all have. It’s a problem. Melatonin directly affects the regulation of such important aspects as glucose levels and also blood pressure. But above all it prevents the brain “cleaning” that is done at night when we sleep to eliminate particles that They greatly influence diseases as relevant as Alzheimer’s. Social relations. Perhaps the most surprising point of recent research is how Interacting with other human beings affects our biology at a molecular level. It’s not just about “feeling good,” but social interactions promote genetic regulation. What has been seen is surprising: it improves the regulation of blood pressure and slows down the aging of the immune system. Aspects that logically the longer they delay, the better quality of life it will give us. Images | Gabin Vallet In Xataka | The promise of 120 years is dismantled: biology sets a life ceiling that is quite difficult to break

six great-grandchildren for every 100 current Koreans

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Although your latest data about birth and marriages They seem to have given the country some respite, generally talking about demographics in South Korea requires adopting a disastrous tone. Almost funeral. The nation has been seeing for years how its fertility collapses little by little, moving further and further away from what is known as ‘replacement rate’ social. The situation is so critical who already drives a devastating projection: if nothing changes, for every 100 current South Koreans there will be only six great-grandchildren. And that (we repeat) if the birth rate does not continue to collapse. It is a very useful warning for sailors in Europe. A (devastating) figure: 0.7. That is the fertility rate that South Korea would register in 2023, according to World Bank data. The figure is far from the 1.5 that it managed at the beginning of the 21st century and well below the 4.5 of the 1970s. Although in 2024 the nation achieved rise slightly that indicator (up to 0.74), the truth is that Seoul has little reason to celebrate. Their birth rates are still light years away from those that would prevent the registry from beginning to decline (2.1 children per woman) and as soon as you search, you will find studies that warn of the impact that this demographic bleeding will have on your society, economy and even on the national defense. It may sound exaggerated, but South Korea already shows the characteristics of a society “super aged” and former president Yoon Suk Yeol even came to declare officially in 2024 the “national demographic emergency”. 100 South Koreans, 6 great-grandchildren. Korea’s demographic reality is what it is (bad), but there are different ways to address it. And some are so clear that they help to better understand the phenomenon. Perhaps the most resounding was presented a few days ago by Phoebe Arslanagić-Little in an extensive analysis published in Works in Progress. Among other issues, Arslanagić-Little reminds that with current fertility rates per 100 South Koreans today there will be only six great-grandchildren. And that is assuming that the country’s birth rate is stable and does not continue to deepen in the downward path that has been chaining for decades. The estimate is devastating, although it is not entirely new. In 2023 the famous pronatalist Malcolm Collins already issued a similar warning in an article published in The Telegraph: “At this rate, there will only be six great-grandchildren for every 100 current Koreans. And that’s assuming the fertility rate doesn’t continue to fall as it has done almost every year for the past two decades. That represents a 94% reduction in generation size next century.” A similar prediction is found in the media like the BBC. Why is it a problem? For several reasons. The first (and most obvious) is that a country in which the demographic engine has seized has three options, not exclusive: find a way to encourage their birthbet on immigration or resign yourself to seeing how your census decreases year after year. For now, in Seoul they are already conducting studies that show the consequences of this last scenario. Not long ago the Korean Peninsula Population Institute for Future (KPPIF) published a report in which he points out that, even in an optimistic scenario, the South Korean population risks suffering a drastic snip in the long term. From the current 51.68 million inhabitants it would rise to just 15.73 million in 2125. That is, in a century it would be less than a third of its current size. Click on the image to go to the tweet. Much more than demographics. The social and economic implications of such a scenario are evident. In 2024 the country will officially become a “super-aged” societya label that reveals that at least 20% of its population is over 65 years old. There are calculations that suggest that in 50 years the number of people of working age will have dropped by half and the population group of military service age will have been reduced by 58%. Even the Bank of Korea has raised his voice to remember that if the nation does not change its outlook and continues with its plummeting birth rate, it may be dragged (along with other factors) into a prolonged recession in the medium term, around 2040. Searching for the causes. South Korea’s demographic crisis is not new. Just as the factors that motivate it are not, a cluster of well-identified conditions that Arslanagić-Little cites in your article: the labor and professional costs of motherhood for women, the difficulties in conciliation, the economic burden of parenting in such a competitive society such as the Korean one, cultural changes in relationships between men and women, etc. The analysis is interesting because most of these factors are perfectly transferable to the West. There are others specific to the South Korean reality, such as the inherited effect of the antinatalist campaigns promoted last century. How to solve it? That is the question Korea must face if it wants to change its course. Especially because the country stands out for another factor: its low levels of immigration. It is estimated that foreigners represent just 5.1% of the total population, far from the data that Spain handles, for example. Here the INE calculates that 13.4% of residents In the country they have foreign nationality. The truth is that South Korea has been implementing policies to encourage births for some time, an effort that seems to be having results, although still very shy. The question remains whether or not the country will be able to make a demographic turnaround. Image | Enkuu Smile (Unsplash) In Xataka | South Korea has found the formula to improve its birth rate: companies pay fortunes to their employees to have children

The iconic Game Boy is back in LEGO format and is a good Christmas gift for the most nostalgic

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Do you want to surprise a gamer from the ’90s, now a forty-something, and you don’t know what to do it with? Surely in his youth he had the iconic Game Boy. Now, you can buy a LEGO Game Boy set to build Nintendo’s first portable console, thus becoming a perfect gift for Twelfth Night. LEGO Super Mario Game Boy The price could vary. We earn commission from these links A LEGO set with surprising realism Some time ago, LEGO released a set inspired by the Nintendo Entertainment System. Although, now, this new set wants to give a tribute to the iconic Game Boythe Japanese company’s first portable console. Composed of 421 pieces and with a design endowed with realism, if you have it in your hands, you will believe that you are looking at the real console and not one made with LEGO pieces. In addition, it comes with many details and accessories, such as a stand to place it and several games and screens. Specifically,’The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening‘ and ‘Super Mario Land‘ are the two screens that the LEGO set includes. Furthermore, to make matters worse (as far as realism is concerned), the console buttons can be pressed and the cartridges (fully buildable) can be inserted into this Game Boy. Other LEGO sets for gamers that may interest you LEGO Mario Kart 72037: Mario and Standard Kart The price could vary. We earn commission from these links LEGO 21265 Minecraft Workbench The price could vary. We earn commission from these links Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary. Images | LEGO In Xataka | Your favorite series, comics and movies also in LEGO: 15 construction kits ideal to assemble yourself or give as a gift In Xataka | LEGO constructions on another level: the Technic Series has the models that any collector would dream of

There is a huge gap between what we think medical marijuana does and what it actually does.

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Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, relaxing, sleep inducer, anti-tumor, anticonvulsant… It is not the definitive medication leaflet, these are just some examples of what I have found when searching for “medical marijuana benefits.” According to a survey in the United States and Canada, 27% of citizens have consumed it to treat anxiety, relieve pain and sleep better. What if it is not as effective as we thought? This is what UCLA has just concluded after an extensive study in which they have analyzed fifteen years of data. The study. We have known him through New York Times. This is a very extensive review in which a group of psychiatrists from the University of California has analyzed more than 2,500 articles published from January 2010 to September of this year. They have included clinical trials, meta-analyses and clinical guidelines and have prioritized those that are based on larger and more relevant samples. The beliefs. In recent years, cannabis has become popular after its legalization in the United States, where It already collects more taxes than alcohol. According to the survey we mentioned above, people who used for medicinal purposes did so mainly to relieve pain (53%), sleep better (46%), treat anxiety (52%) and depression (40%). The conclusions. The study is conclusive: there is a huge difference between what we believe and scientific evidence. The evidence is strong in very specific cases, such as loss of appetite associated with HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy symptoms (specifically nausea and vomiting), and some severe pediatric disorders that cause seizures. However, for other conditions, the studies analyzed did not provide conclusive evidence of its effectiveness. For example, in the case of pain, one of the most common uses, clinical guideline from the American Association of Clinical Oncology does not recommend it as a first-line treatment due to lack of evidence. For anxiety there is also no solid evidence on the effectiveness of THC, but CBD consumed orally did obtain more notable results in reducing anxiety. Risks. While the evidence on its effectiveness is doubtful in many cases, the evidence on the risks is more extensive. Marijuana is associated with the appearance of psychotic symptoms and anxiety, especially that which has a high THC content, increasing the risk of anxiety disorder by 19.1%. Smoking marijuana daily increases the risk of coronary heart disease by 2%, the risk of heart attack by 1.7% and stroke by 2.6%. Addiction. On the other hand, there is the issue of addiction. The study estimates that 29% of people who use medical marijuana have a substance abuse problem, especially those who smoke it. Speaking to the New York Times, the professor and expert Ryan Vandreystates that this explains the improvements in insomnia that many consumers advocate; It is not that marijuana makes them sleep better, it is that they sleep worse if they do not consume it due to their dependence on the substance. “If they stopped using cannabis for a month, they might notice an improvement in their sleep. But most never make it to that month because, after a day or two without sleep, they convince themselves that ‘this is the only thing that helps me sleep, so I have to keep using it,’” he says. The excuse. It so happens that many medical marijuana users do not have any medical prescription. According to one survey published this year77% of consumers declared using cannabis for medical purposes, but only 28% consumed on medical advice. According to Kevin Hill, one of the authors of the UCLA review, there are justified and effective uses of cannabis, but there is a huge group of users for whom medicinal use is the excuse to “rationalize their recreational use.” Image | RDNE Stock project, Pexels In Xataka | The positive (and quite predictable) effect of legalizing the sale and consumption of marijuana

60 years ago they had to literally “slice” code into punched cards

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Nowadays, programmers have countless resources when developing their creations. It was even before the revolution of AI and vibe coding. “Click code” is complex, but at least it is relatively comfortable thanks to modern integrated development environments (IDE) that facilitate programming in all types of languages. Not only that: programming is free, and any relatively modest PC can do it, although AI assistants have increased costs. Half a century ago things were very different, and those who dedicated themselves to programming did so with significant obstacles. There were no personal computers, access to mainframes and servers was only for the privileged and there were not even monitors on which to see how you programmed. Everything was much more artisanal and uncomfortable, and punched cards are the legacy of an era that shows that any past time was not always better. Who needs a screen? I explained it in a Foone Twitter threada technology collector and historian who recounted how programmers got by in 1962. To begin with, those programmers had a very different image than the young people who today create giant companies from scratch with flip-flops in their college dorm room or a garage. These programmers tended to be adults who also dressed in a jacket and tie: the ways were different because to access this world one had to work for large companies, the only ones where you could have access to a mainframe of the time. The example that this technological historian gave was that of IBM 7090one of the first computers based on transistors and not on vacuum tubes, like its predecessor, the IBM 709. That was a revolution in power, because the performance of the previous one was multiplied by six and the IBM 7090 managed to execute 100,000 floating point operations per second. But as we said, to program that computer there was no interface like the current one: you did not write while seeing the code on the screen. They were also not multi-user or multi-threaded systems, so only one person could use “all” that power at a time. That made these machines very precious and very expensive assets that IBM actually rented. In 1962 he rented one of these computers for a month It cost $63,500.which with inflation would be equivalent to $421,000 today. If we do a simple division (a month has about 44,000 minutes), each minute of use of that computer would cost about 10 current dollars. In a couple of hours one had spent the same amount that a good PC or laptop costs today, for example. This imposed clear restrictions when using these machines, because time was money in them. That’s where punched cards came into play, which had a capacity of 80 characters each, the maximum size of a line, although curiously the normal thing was to use only the first 72 characters and not go beyond there. The IBM template allowed you to program on paper without going overboard. To punch the cards, a special machine was used, which for example was manufactured by IBM itself and which could be mechanical or, if they were more modern, electromechanical. The idea was simple: the characters that someone typed on that machine were “translated” on the punched card, where perforations were made according to the characters on each line. To program, you didn’t sit down at that electromechanical machine and start typing commands without stopping. Instead the program was written by hand or typed. IBM had prepared templates that made it possible not to get lost and to avoid exceeding the number of characters per line. Wait, it took a while to run your program This meant that a program with all its lines ended up occupying a stack or deck of punched cards on which were all the instructions of the program, which also had to be perfectly ordered in the appropriate sequence. That deck of punched cards was given to the computer operators, who inserted them along with a task control card that told the system how and for how long it had to be executed, for example. Other programs could be in run queue (remember, it was one job at a time, and other programmers also used the same system), so it wasn’t just arriving and executing. This is what a computer program looked like in the 60s. That program could take a long time to complete its execution, so the programmer did not wait for the result to appear, but rather the operator left both the deck and the printed result in a small cubicle where the programmer could then access to pick it up. The problem, of course, is that the program could be wrong, not work or give an unexpected output. In that case, the error had to be detected, the punched card or cards that caused the error corrected, and the program run again. There were striking advances at that time such as being able to convert punched cards into stored programs on magnetic cassette tapessomething that made the reading of those punched cards faster. That was basically the process that programmers followed in their daily lives, who usually used FORTRAN or COBOL in their programs. These machines were used, for example, for the development of projects such as CTSS (Compatible Time-Sharing System), one of the first operating systems that was programmed by the MIT Computing Center. They were also used by NASA for the Mercury and Gemini space missions, and in fact an IBM 7904 was also used to run the flight planning software on the Apollo missionsbecause it had not yet been programmed for the new System/360 that had been acquired for NASA. There were also more curious applications that are still being explored today: in 1962, mathematicians Daniel Shanks and John Wrench were pioneers in using these computers for mathematical calculations and calculated the first 100,000 decimals of π. A year earlier, another mathematician, Alexander Hurwitz, used an IBM 7090 to discover the two largest prime numbers … Read more

what should be clear between controversies and doubts about the norm

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A breakdown on a secondary road, a car stopped on the shoulder and the doubt that arrives before help: what do I do now to signal it correctly. For years, the response was almost automatic and involved looking for the triangles in the trunk. That gesture is no longer the obligatory reference. Starting today, January 1, the regulations change and force us to rethink how we warn other drivers when something goes wrong. The change is no longer a future promise and is now in effect. The General Directorate of Traffic establishes that the V-16 beacon connected It is the only legal danger pre-signaling device in the country. This is not just a symbolic replacement for the triangles, but a clear redefinition of what is considered valid to comply with the obligation to signal an immobilized vehicle. It’s not just a light. The key to the connected V-16 beacon is not only that it emits a light signal visible from afar, but also in what happens at the same time and without driver intervention. When activated, the device automatically communicates the vehicle’s location to the platform DGT 3.0which integrates this information into traffic management systems. This “virtual visibility”, as defined by the DGT itself, allows other road users to be notified through variable message panels and browsers, before the incident becomes evident to those approaching. Who takes her and where she goes. The regulations establish that the connected V-16 beacon must be part of the equipment of passenger cars, buses, adaptive mixed vehicles, vehicles intended for the transport of goods and sets of non-special vehicles. Regarding its placement, the recommendation is clear: place it at the highest possible point of the vehicle, preferably on the roof, to maximize visibility. When this is not feasible, it can be placed in the highest area of ​​the driver’s side, taking advantage of the built-in magnet to fix it to metal surfaces. Fines for using the triangle, yes or no? Part of the noise around the V-16 stems from a misunderstanding about the concept of substitution. The fact that the connected beacon becomes the mandatory device does not imply that the triangle has become a sanctionable element in itself. DGT Instruction 2025/20 clarifies that a triangle placed specifically is not considered an obstacle on the road and, therefore, will not be the subject of a complaint. From here it is advisable to separate the scenarios well, because not all of them lead to the same result. Using only the triangle no longer serves to comply with the legal pre-signaling obligation, because the required device is the connected V-16 beacon. The case is different for those who correctly activate the beacon and, in addition, decide to place a triangle in a complementary manner, something that the aforementioned instruction frames as an element that, if placed punctually, will not be the subject of a complaint for being considered an obstacle. The problem appears when a beacon that is not approved or that does not meet the required connectivity requirements is used, since in that case the driver would not be using a legally valid device. Without vocation to fine. In this context, the DGT itself has tried to reduce the feeling of immediate threat. In an interview on Hora 14 on Cadena SERthe deputy director of the DGT, Ana Blanco, assured that “there is no vocation to fine,” when asked about the sanctions from day one, although she insisted that the important thing is that drivers get the mandatory device. The message does not eliminate the sanctioning framework, but does point to an approach focused on adaptation and the connected V-16 beacon being available and used correctly when necessary. Be careful with the ‘connected’ label. One of the main sources of confusion is in the market. Just because a beacon is announced as connected does not guarantee that it meets the requirements demanded by the DGT. The organization maintains an official and updated list of certified brands and models.and only the devices that appear in it have legal validity. Checking this list is key, because from today it is not enough for the beacon to emit light or have a connection, but it must have the current approval and the corresponding technical certificate. Four models that were left out at the last minute. In December 2025, The DGT updated its list of certified devices and marked four specific models as “not valid.” This qualification does not imply that they stop working or that their use is automatically punishable, but rather that they have lost the administrative validity of their original technical certificates. For this reason, these products can no longer be marketed, although, according to the criteria that accompanies this update, those who purchased them before the withdrawal can continue using them. Its validity is linked to the useful life of the device, in particular to the operating period of the associated data plan. Quick checklist. After so much explanation, it’s time to go ashore. Today is not a different day from the rest when you get into the car, except for that small change that should be well secured to avoid doubts and waste of time if a breakdown occurs. This is the minimum checklist to know that you are wearing the right thing and know how to use it. Check that the beacon is included in the official catalog of models approved by the DGT. Make sure the battery or batteries are in good condition. Keep the beacon in an accessible place inside the vehicle. Verify that the magnet allows a firm fixation in a metal area. Always place it at the highest possible point in the car when it is activated. Images | Netun Solutions | DGT (1, 2) In Xataka | What to look for in a V16 beacon: requirements and how to check if the one you have or want to buy works for you In Xataka | The DGT’s great plan does not end with the V16 beacons: it … Read more

how two professionals fell after using ransomware

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He ransomware It usually presents itself as an external threat, diffuse and difficult to locate, associated with criminal groups that operate from other countries and to hidden infrastructures on the network. However, the case that has communicated the United States Department of Justice breaks that narrative. Here we are not talking about a specific surveillance failure, but about professionals from the sector itself who, according to the accusation, used their training and position to attack American companies. The conclusion is as simple as it is alarming: the threat does not always come from outside, even in such a specialized field. What is known about the case today is well defined in court documents and official statements. On December 30, 2025, the Department of Justice reported thatthe day before, a federal court in the Southern District of Florida accepted guilty pleas from two men for conspiring to extort in connection with ransomware attacks that occurred in 2023. Both pleaded guilty to a federal crime related to obstructing or affecting commerce by extortion. Sentencing was set for March 12, 2026 and they face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Who they were and what role they played in the sector. According to the FBIthe accused are Ryan Goldberg, 40, and Kevin Martin, 36. Both worked in the field of cybersecurity and had experience in incident management and in processes linked to attacks with this type of malicious tool. Goldberg worked as an incident response manager in a multinational company in the sector, while Martin worked as a negotiator specialized in this type of extortion within a company dedicated to responding to cybercrime. This professional context placed them in an unusual place for this type of crime. A ransomware model turned into a service. The case documents describe that the attacks relied on ALPHV, also known as BlackCata ransomware operated under a service model. In this scheme, developers maintain the malware and extortion infrastructure, while affiliated third parties execute attacks against selected victims. In exchange for that access, the defendants agreed to give 20% of any ransom obtained to the administrators. The rest was distributed among the participants, after moving the funds through different digital wallets to make them difficult to trace. The investigation is not limited to a single incident. The documents include attacks and attempts directed against US companies between April and December 2023, with victims in sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industrial and technological sectors. In the only successful case, the ransom paid was around $1.27 million in cryptocurrency at the time of payment, according to the file. In other episodes, the demands reflected in the case ranged from hundreds of thousands of dollars to around five million, always according to court documents. The evidence that supports the accusation. The case is supported by a combination of technical records, financial analysis and statements collected by US federal forces. Among the elements cited are access to tools linked to the extortion infrastructure and the monitoring of cryptocurrency movements after the payment of the ransom. The file also mentions searches carried out before some attacks, including an inquiry about one of the victims on May 4, 2023, days before a subsequent incident. Added to this is a recorded interview in which one of the accused acknowledged his involvement, in addition to searches and other actions incorporated into the case. Images | Xataka with Gemini 3 Pro In Xataka | Gonzalo is the Army’s ChatGPT. Its challenge is colossal: turning AI into the great military ally of the 21st century

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