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be the Japan of Europe

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

2024 has not been a good year for the Italians. Not at least if we talk about demography. Although the flow of immigrants has allowed him to soften the blow, the country has seen how its fertility rate fell to historical minimumsthe families continued to shrink, the average age of the population kept their escalation until approaching the psychological barrier of the 50 years and the exodus of citizens who decide to seek their future abroad increased 36%depriving the nation especially of qualified young people, something that It is already worried to its central bank. Italy It is not the only country that supports the icy winds of the Demographic winterbut his drift already threatens to turn it into the Japan of the old continent. Birth, downstairs. A few weeks ago the National Statistics Institute of Italy (Istat) public A global balance on the demography of 2024 that leaves a few joys and the occasional disappointment. The country closed the year with 370,000 births, bad news twice. First because it represents a decrease of 2.6% with respect to 2023 and aggravates the fall of its birth rate. Second, because it leaves its fertility index in historical minimums: 1.18 children per woman. The previous record, of 1.19, had been reached in 1995. A structural problem. For Istat that loss of babies is worrisome because it relieves more than a simple fall in the fertility index. In his opinion Boils with the loss of men and women of age of having children. “The relevance of the structural aspect is evident,” he warns. “If the female population of productive age (15-49 years) is considered, it has gone from 14.3 million EM January 1994 to 11.4 in January 2024”. In the case of men, the group in the same age strip has dropped from 14.5 million to just 11.9. Hence, the current fertility rate of 1.18 is much more problematic than that of 1995. 50 -year way. Another of the problems that Italy Lidia is the aging of its population, a phenomenon on which He has warned Also Eurostat. According to the Italian agency, at the beginning of 2025 the average age of the population that resides in Italy already was already 46.8 years, two tenths more than a year ago. The data that Eurostat draws an even more unfortunate panorama: they place the median age in 48.7 yearsthe second largest fact of the entire EU. It only exceeds Monaco, where it marks 50.5 years. The European mean It is 44.7. In Italy children (under 14 years old) represent 11.9% of the total and the population of working age 63.4%. Both stripes experienced setbacks in 2024, unlike what happened with the group of citizens who exceed 65 years: they suppose 24.7% of the total, four tenths more than a year ago. Among them also grow the octogenarians and nonagenarians. If nothing changes, There are those who calculate That in 2040 there will be five million people less in working age. THE OTHER CHALLENGE: The Exodus. Italy is facing another problem that has made the alarms of experts and authorities: Emigration. Last year 191,000 people left the country, 20.5% more than in 2023. Most of them, about 156,000, were also Italians who chose to look for life abroad, which represents a remarkable increase with respect to 2023. The rest (around 35,000) are Expats of other nationalities, such as the Romanian, who had been residing in Italy for some time and for one reason or another they decided to make their bags. Looking for life out. “They are forceful figures, although they could fall short according to some analysts, such as Federico Fubini, who recently published A column in Corriere in which he remembered that there are Italians who have abandoned the country without processing the change of residence, so the phenomenon could be greater. “More and more Italians opt for the path of self -determination and leave the country for situations that consider better,” Point out. In his opinion, the current migratory phenomenon is not comparable to that of the last decade, when the loss of population was basically motivated by the lack of employment in Italy. “Today there is and, instead, people, mostly young, will look for it in other places.” “Create opportunities”. That last nuance, that of young people who decide to leave, is fundamental. So much, in fact, that he has led the governor of the Bank of Italy, Fabio Panetta, to ask that measures be taken to retain talent and human capital. “It is necessary to create attractive employment opportunities for the many Italians who leave the country in search of better perspectives,” warned a few days ago in statements collected by Financial Times. The newspaper remember That between 2014 and 2023 they left the country more than one million Italians and more than a third of them were young people between 25 and 35 years old, many of them with university degrees. During that period they made the reverse journey (natives who choose to return) many less young. Of them only 50,000 had higher training. Istat himself calculates that the migratory balance of graduates has been negative, with a net loss of 97,000. A balance in red numbers. With 370,000 births and 651,000 deaths, Italy closed 2024 with a negative natural balance of 281,000 people. That loss managed to soften it in part thanks to the arrival of people from abroad. Although his flow fell with respect to the previous year, he remained at 435,000 (including about 53,000 repatriated), enough to compensate for the escape of Italians to other countries and leave a positive general migratory balance. The country fired the year with a census of some 58.9 million of residents. Japan’s example. Italy is not the only country that crosses demographic turbulence. In fact, Spain has reached a population record (49.1 million) It is thanks to the increase in the foreign population, which compensates for the decrease in the native. The puncture of birth and gradual aging are … Read more

The restoration of old photos has always been a challenge. This new AI model has just resolved it

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

The ability of AI to generate texts, images or video have proven to be amazing, but there was still a problem that These systems were resisted: the one Restore old photos to leave them perfect. That has just changed with Flux.1 Kontexta family of generative AI models with a very special characteristic: instead of following the line of the traditional text-imagen models, Flux.1 Kontext generates in-conntext images: it is possible to use as prompt a reference image and a text (prompt) so that the combination is much more powerful. You don’t need to look at the camera. The AI is able to generate an image of yours looking from the original (on the left) and even a smiling. Source: Black Forest Labs. The possibilities, as explained by Black Forest Labs – the startup that develops these models – are spectacular. It is possible to maintain the context – paids, faces, objects – to modify the rest of the image at our whim: it is enough to combine those reference images with more or less detailed prompts to obtain the desired result. What Black Forest Labs engineers did not say is that this same idea could be applied to an old need: the aforementioned Old photos restoration. It is enough to load any image damaged by the passage of time or for any other reason, and Flux will do a spectacular restoration work in just a few moments. An old woman (I will not say how much) mine: if I see her from afar the result is spectacular, credible. When I do zoom, somewhat more weird things begin to appear: the face somewhat more elongated, more “square”, the nose and forehead. It’s me, but it’s not me. It is possible to test the tool in the “Recreo Patio” (Playground) of Black Forestor in services such as Fal.AI. We wanted to try it in Freepik, the Spanish generative the AI platform that from the first moment has given access to previous Black Forest Labs models and of course already available Flux.1 Kontext in their two modalities, Pro and Max. Real Madrid. Commonwealth Regional Championship, October 28, 1934. Source: Institute of Cultural Heritage of Spain The results have really been striking, as can be seen in That old photo of the Real Madrid of 1934. The image headed by the article is a clear example, and here there are some details that are common in this generative model. Thus, it is possible to turn old photos into current photos that also have color and much more detail than the originals. It may even in portraits the result is similar but strange, artificial, or that traits of the person who make the result are somewhat shocking are modified. It happened for example with a Lincoln portrait obtained of the US Congress bookstore. Of course, that can end up being counterproductive. We have used a very simple prompt for this process: “Restore and Colorize This Image. Remove Any Scratches or Imperfections, Keep Fidelity”, but it is possible to adjust the results more if we introduce much more specific requests and prompts. Of course, miracles do not exist and if we zoom in the images, the problem of “hallucinations” applied to the generative image of images can arise. In the famous photograph of ‘Lunch atop a Skyscraper’ (Wikipedia) The detail of the original is scarce, so when AI tries to restore it, invents small details or features that are not. The result seen from afar, yes, is fantastic. Although Flux.1 Kontext fails to improve the definition of the image too much, sacrifices that level of detail to maintain loyalty, color and fix all the cracks of the original photo. Source: Reddit. The examples speak for themselves and demonstrate that the restoration of photos reaches thanks to this model a really spectacular quality, as happens in the photo of that family (Reddit). To get an idea of the cost, each image restored with Flux Pro in Freepick costs 100 credits, and with a monthly subscription at its premium service (10 euros/month) 18,000 credits are achieved. Thus, 180 of these restorations for 10 euros, less than six cents per image. Other Black Forest Labs models are available in Github And they can be installed and used at home – ideal if you have a good GPU – but for now Flux.1 Kontext is not included in that catalog. We do not know if they will add it soon, but for the moment it is possible to experience for free with the model in services such as those mentioned. Without a doubt, a great option to perform this type of task. In Xataka | The 1900 Paris, in 4K all color: the restored videos that transport you to the 19th century

As of today, ATMs are also a revolution thing. Fintech launches its first physical network, and starts with Spain

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

Which It started as a way to send and spend money Without commissions, a bank has ended up looking more and more. Revolutionwhich ten years ago was born in the United Kingdom as an app designed to simplify finances, it has become One of the most valuable Fintech in the sector. And his last play makes it clear: his own ATMs. Yes, ATMs. An idea that would have been difficult to fit in its early years, when it was unmarked from the traditional. But now it is a reality. The former will arrive in Spain, and not anywhere: the debut will be in the Spring Sound from Barcelonawhich starts today and extends until June 8. Spain, Revolution’s first physical laboratory. The company has chosen Spain to release its first physical product: a network of ATMs developed entirely in its Techhub in Barcelona. According to Revolution, the initial phase includes 50 terminals between Madrid and Barcelona, which will be expanded until reaching 200 throughout the country. The former will be located at large points such as Avinguda Diagonal or Toledo Street, and can be located from the app by an interactive map. Barcelona’s choice is not accidental. The city not only houses one of the strategic development centers of the company, but also represents, according to the company itself, a key piece in its European expansion map. In fact, Revolution plans to take this network to other countries such as Germany, Italy or Portugal from 2026. Happy ATMs for a digital customer. The new ATMs do not look like the usual. They are designed with a modern interface, touch navigation, compatibility with contactless payments and multilingual support. They also offer functions designed to reduce friction: withdrawals without additional commissions for Revolution clients and immediate delivery of physical cards. Free withdrawals will be available both nationally and internationally and intra -Europe. For non -customers, the service will also be available “with a competitive commission.” In addition, Revolution plans to incorporate in the future the dynamic conversion option of currency (DCC), which will allow you to choose between the exchange rate of the emitter bank or that of Revolution at the time of withdrawal. And he will not remain in retired. The company also plans to enable cash deposits in later phases, thus expanding the range of accessible services from these physical points. The physical step of a 100 % digital experience. In the words of Manjot Bhati, Operating Partner of Revolution, “to launch our own ATMs network a decisive step in our mission of offering a truly global financial experience and without friction.” As we can see, with this movement, Fintech seeks to expand its footprint beyond the app. It is not a minor change. Revolut was born as a 100 % digital actor, without physical offices or windows. His commitment to their own ATMs suggests a new stage: one in which the physical does not contradict digital, but complements it. A stage where the cashier is no longer just an cash machine. We will have to see if this movement translates into a new success. Images | Aleksandrs Karevs In Xataka | Revolution is not just a threat to traditional banks. Now it is also for Teleoperators

It is not made to stay where it is

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

3D printing is beginning to transform the way we build. In Germany it has already shaped a Data center with a undulating facade that would have been difficult to lift with conventional methods. In Japan it has allowed to print, in record time, A small railway station building. And now, in a tiny high mountain town in the canton of the Gray, in Switzerlanda white concrete tower It has ever become higher created with this technique. It is called Tor Alva, and it is not only an engineering work, but also a declaration of intentions. How culture, computational design and sustainability can be intertwined. A new milestone of 3D printed architecture Tor Alva, who in Romonche “The White Tower” means, it is the result of a collaboration between the Swiss Cultural Foundation Nova Fundaziun origin and the Federal Institute of Zurich Technology (Eth zurich). Raised in the small Mulegns enclave, the 30 -meter high tower (counting the base on which it supports) is presented as a vertical scenic space, a cultural lighthouse that emerges on the roofs of the Valley of Surresses. According to those responsible for the projectthe building combines computational design and automated structural reinforcement to shape a structure that, until recently, seemed technically impossible. It is a five -story building, crowned by a theatrical dome with capacity for 32 people, sustained by 32 unique columns printed one by one by a robotic system. These columns not only fulfill a structural function: they are also the facade, the ornamentation and the visual firm of the tower. The columns of Tor Alva They are made of white concrete Printed in layers of 8 millimeters high by 25 millimeters wide. Each one measures between 3.4 and 6 meters high, and is formed by three different layers: an exterior with ornamental textures, an intermediate that houses structural reinforcement and a hollow interior for vertical channels. In total, each column implies about 5,000 meters of extruded material. The most striking thing is that there are not two equal columns. They ensure that all were designed algorithmically and manufactured with millimeter precision. The design is articulated on three scales: an organic general form that absorb lateral forces Without additional reinforcements, a wave structure that reinforces the thin walls and, finally, an ornamentation pattern generated directly by the printing of the Printer Head. The result is an unconventional structure, but built with structural logic and material efficiency. One of the biggest challenges of 3D printing with concrete has been, so far, the lack of effective structural reinforcement. Tor Alva solves that stumbling block with a notable technical innovation: during the printing of each column, two robots worked in tandem. One was in charge of extruding the concrete layer per cape. The other induced, in parallel, the metallic reinforcement between those layers. Later, vertical steel rods were placed and mortar injected to consolidate the set. Unlike traditional buildings, Tor Alva has been designed with an eye on its future disassembly. The tower will only remain in Mulegns For five years. But something is very curious: at any time it can be completely disassembled and rebuilt elsewhere. At any time it can be completely and rebuilt in another place The columns were assembled in a prefabrication plant located 10 kilometers from the town, and moved in trucks to the work. Each consists of three parts: the base, the printed column and the capitel. The horizontal pieces, which did not lend themselves well to the impression, were manufactured with molds also printed on 3D and ecological concrete. The structure is completed with an ultralight and removable outer membrane that protects it in winter and can be removed in summer. But Tor Alva is not just a technical experiment. It is also a cultural space. Since the end of May that is open to the public. Visitors ascend through a snail staircase, cross dark rooms, stays bathed in the light and, finally, reach a show room under the dome. There will be held concerts, readingscontemporary choreographies and other scenic proposals. Images | Tor Alva/Eth Zurich In Xataka | The largest concrete wall in Spain is in Salamanca and generates electricity: this is the almond dam

Starlink’s growth is so brutal that Spacex is one year after overcoming NASA’s annual budget

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

Elon Musk became the richest man in the world thanks to Tesla, but his new golden egg chicken It’s called Starlink. The tycoon has given credibility to something that It had been commenting Since the White House announced NASA’s historic cuts: Spacex’s income is one year after overcoming the annual budget of the planet’s largest space agency. More money than NASA. Elon Musk He just put the data On the table: “Spacex’s income for its commercial activities in space will exceed NASA’s total budget next year.” Spacex is a private company controlled by Musk itself, so it is not obliged to publicly present its results. However, we now know that it plans to enter 15.5 billion dollars in 2025. If approved in Congress, NASA’s annual budget for 2026 will be 18.8 billion dollars, 24% less than the previous year. The whole mountain is Starlink. Spacex receives NASA money to transport astronauts to the International Space Station or develop space programs such as the lunar Starship, but in 2025, that transaction has been “only” 1.1 billion dollars. Most of what Spacex earns comes from Starlink, although the amount of NASA contracts will rise to 1,747 million dollars in 2026, adding the Moon To Mars program. Starlink has more than 5 million customers, a figure that has been duplicating from year to year. The bulk of the business are residential customers, but satellite Internet service has been diversifying with agreements in the maritime sector (mercantile vessels and cruises), the aviation sector (Chárter operators and commercial airlines), the operators (Direct-to-Cell) and the government sector (especially The Starshield constellation of the number). The perpetual movement machine. Starlink’s success would not be possible without Spacex’s launching capacitywhich continues to be beating reuse records with its Falcon 9. The company celebrated its 500 mission last night. The propeller that has taken and landed the most times has done it 28 times, 17 of them to put Starlink satellites in orbit. The integration of the company is totally vertical. Spacex manufactures rockets, satellites and terminals. And innovation is constant. At the end of May, a Falcon 9 deployed 29 Starlink v2 mini optimized satellites225 kg lighter than previous versions and with a bandwidth of 96 Gbps. How much Spacex is worth. With more than 7,000 active satellites in orbit, an incomparable number of any other constellation, Starlink has triggered the assessment of Spacex at stratospheric levels. The most recent valuation is 350,000 million dollars, which makes it the company not quoted in the largest stock market in the United States. Taking into account that Spacex Starlink’s benefits reinvested on the Starship programIt is worth asking who will lead the space exploration of the United States in the coming years, if NASA or Elon Musk’s company. Image | Spacex In Xataka | Spacex has launched 8,000 Starlink satellites in five years, but they are not enough. And we are beginning to understand why

Onlyfans has made adult content a millionaire business thanks to a different strategy. And now it goes for more

June 4, 2025 by usatoday24

It started as an alternative to Patreon. He ended up dominating adult content on the Internet. Onlyfans has broken molds, has faced vetoes and has resisted the scrutiny of banks, governments and technological. And yet, he has paid more than 20,000 million dollars to its creators. In the new episode of Xataka presentsour partner Jota García immerses himself in the history of a platform that has challenged the standards of the digital market and now tries to transform without losing its essence. Because what Onlyfans has achieved is not less: professionalizing a historically informal sector, turning it into a profitable industry and doing so without depending on the App Store or Google Play. As Jota says in the video, “Onlyfans has achieved what few digital platforms have achieved: convert the adult content that has traditionally been found on the Internet for free in a source of millionaire income.” The number impresses: 6,600 million dollars invoiced in 2023. But behind that figure there is a key business decision. Onlyfans has remained outside the large application stores. Because? Because entering there would imply deliver up to 30% of each payment to Apple or Google. As our partner explains, “if Onlyfans’s application worked through these stores, the company would have to distribute up to 50% of each payment between two intermediaries. ”The price of that decision: lower visibility. The benefit: total independence and protection of its economic model. Of course, not everything has been growth. In 2021, under pressure from banks, the platform announced the prohibition of explicit content. “The massive reaction of users and creators forced Onlyfans to back down,” Jota recalls. Since then, the company has reinforced verification controls, has diversified financial partners and has tried to reposition itself as a space for all kinds of creators. But can you do it? The brand remains mainly associated with adult content, which is an economic advantage, but also a reputational barrier. Although he has launched Onlyfans TV – a video platform without sexual content, designed for kitchen programs, interviews and training – and has begun to attract musicians, comedians or athletes, many creators continue Feeling the stigma weight. “Many have shown reluctance to link to the brand for fear of rejection of their sponsors,” says the video. Is this effort to renew? Can Onlyfans become a mainstream space like Patreon without losing your identity? We analyze it a little more detail In the new published video On the Xataka YouTube channel. It is a story that is worth following closely because few platforms have generated both debate, so many income and as much transformation like this. Images | Xataka In Xataka | The technological one that generates more money is not Apple or Nvidia or Amazon. It is a porn boutique: Onlyfans

Russia, Emirates and Saudi Arabia are dynamiting the poster from within

June 3, 2025 by usatoday24

In 1973 one of the greatest energy crises of the twentieth century broke out. Yom Kipur war and the oil embargo decreed by Arab countries fired the price of crude oil, which quadrupled in a few months. The consequence was an economic storm: inflation, recession and a deep geopolitical rearrangement that catapulted the OPEC to the center of the world energy board. Five decades have passed, but oil continues to mark the pulse of global tensions. There is no formal embargo, but worldwide conflicts added to a Commercial War promoted by the United States. Despite all this unstable situation, the OPEC+ has chosen to continue producing for the third consecutive month, in an already saturated market and with prices in descent. Disturbing signals. Against all forecast, OPEC+ has decided to increase its production in full price drop. At its last meeting, the poster, with the impulse of Saudi Arabia, has approved to add 411,000 barrels per day from July. The measure has left several of its own members perplexed, According to Bloomberg. The adjustment is equivalent to just 1.2 % of the global demand, but its political and strategic impact is deeper. Very disparate reasons. A possibility like He has pointed out The Economist is that Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies would be trying to please Donald Trump. During his recent tour of the region, the former president pressed directly to achieve a decrease in fuel prices. In return, Riad and Abu Dabi expect strategic benefits, such as agreements in technological sectors such as In artificial intelligence chips. However, this is not the only motivation. The United States Plan based on an aggressive fracking expansion To lower oil It has altered the global market balance. In this scenario, Saudi Arabia has opted for a blunt response: flood the market with crude. By increasing the supply and forcing a price drop, it seeks to press schist producers in the United States, whose profitability depends on higher prices. This strategy also allows you to punish OPEC+ members who do not respect the quotas and, at the same time, recover part of the lost market share in the face of American unconfral oil. The background problem. The OPEC+ crisis is not only a matter of strategy or prices, but of internal cohesion. The cardinal regla of the poster on not producing more than agreed is being ignored by several members. According to The Economistthe United Arab Emirates (EAU) have declared to produce 2.9 million barrels per day (MB/D), but according to analysts consulted by the medium they have estimated that they would be producing between 200,000 and 500,000 b/d, well above their real share. The most worrying thing for OPEC+ is that even the “secondary sources” that they use to verify figures seem complicit in maintaining this fiction. Many are consultants that depend on contracts with state companies such as ADNOC (EAU) or Saudi Aramco. Although this comes from before. The first to reveal itself as such It was Kazakhstanwho overproduces up to 300,000 b/d above what was agreed in April. While Iraq has difficulty controlling its total production, which includes fields in Kurdish hands. These three countries are weakening the authority of the poster from within. And there is a surprise more. The only member of the group with geopolitical power comparable to the Saudi, has begun to show opposition. Bloomberg has detailed That at the most recent meeting, Russia supported by Algeria and Oman, asked to freeze production in July to evaluate the effects of previous increases, but his proposal was ignored. Saudi Arabia has imposed its plan without consensus, a clear sign that the era of collegiate leadership is over. Are we facing an implosion? If Saudi Arabia fails to control the Emirates or contain divergences with Russia, the poster runs the risk of becoming irrelevant. The promised fees review for this year has been postponed until 2027, which has unleashed frustration in Abu Dhabi. The Emirates, with a capacity that almost reaches 5 MB/D, need only $ 50 per barrel to balance their accounts, compared to the $ 90 that requires Saudi Arabia. The structural divergence between the two is deep. An analyst with contacts in both governments He has warned For The Economist that is only a matter of time for an open clash between the two giants, which could precipitate an Emirati output of the OPEC+. On the edge of collapse. For 65 years, OPEC has survived wars, pandemics and the fracking boom. But it seems that it has reached its limit in this situation, where the demand for oil could reach its peak in the next decade, and many petroesties are determined to sell what they can before it is too late. If internal cohesion continues to erode, if the quotas are unfulfilled unpaid and if the large producers act unilaterally, the OPEC+ will no longer be a global strategic actor and will become a symbolic alliance. The current “crack” is not just prices. It is an institutional “crack.” And this time, it can be definitive. Image | Pexels Xataka | The oil market faces a triple coup and IEA is clear why: Iran, Opep+ and electric vehicles

There are people on the Internet following a diet based on potatoes. Science suggests that it is a bad idea

June 3, 2025 by usatoday24

The Self -Experimentation It is present in many fields and that of nutrition and diets is among them. He last example we have encountered It is frankly surprising, these are people who have tested a diet based on potatoes … and little else. The results they report are positive, but the idea of trying this form of self -experience does not seem to be so good. Potato diet? We have seen, over the last years, an immense variety of diets, some that we could consider, in one sense or another, extreme. An example of this are diets based on a single food or food group, and an example of these is found in the potato -based diet. There are different versions, more or less lax, of this diet, but in essence it is about subsisting based on potatoes (approximately between one and 2.5 kg daily) for a brief period of time (between three and five days). Other versions can incorporate This type of diets might seem a contemporary fashion or a meme that goes too far, but the chronicles place their origin At least in the nineteenth century. One of his first drivers could have been the writer British Lord Byron. But is there evidence? Studying the effects of this type of diets is complicated by the risk they imply. Although focusing our diet on a single element can help us control the calories we consume and therefore lose weight, No food It is sufficiently varied in nutrients to guarantee our body the proper micro-and macronutrient supply. This is especially True for potatoes. The caloric density of this food has made it one of the bases of sustenance both in South America where it is originally in Europe. However for a while, Some experts In nutrition they see it as a lower food compared to other carbohydrate sources, A notion discussedyes indeed. Some studies made with animal models They have given us some clue that, at theoretical level, could support the idea that potatoes can help us control our weight. A compound present in the potato and called proteinase II inhibitor could play a role in this relationship. “It works for me. ” A priori it is not easy to distinguish a “Miracle diet“Of the diets contrasted by the scientific community and therefore backed by studies and experiments. That a person has had a satisfactory experience with a diet does not imply that this diet is healthy. The effects of dietary changes may not be evident or can occur in the longer term, so while we perceive a change for better, our body may be suffering consequences that are not directly apparent. Nor does it mean that this diet will adjust to our specific needs, which can be very different depending on our context. In Xataka | Intermittent fasting is the fashion diet. At least among scientists who study their effects on microbioma Image | CONGERDESIGN

Without the rare earths of China, lasers will end in Europe. Germany has found a way to do without them

June 3, 2025 by usatoday24

The applications of Rare earths They are potentially unlimited. To this peculiar group of chemical elements belong some metals as elusive and with names as suggestive as neodymium, promised, gadolinium, ititrium or scandio, among others. Some of them They are relatively scarceand, in addition, they are not usually found purely in nature, but what makes them so special are their physicochemical properties. Its characteristics are beyond the reach of the other elements of the periodic table, which has caused that during the last decades they are consolidated as A very valuable resource In numerous industries, especially in electronics and renewable energies. They are involved, for example, in the manufacture of hybrid and electric cars engines, batteries, semiconductors, catalysts, optical fiber, LCD panels, and even in wind turbines. Europe wants to stop being in the hands of China once and for all China dominates the rare earth industry with an indisputable forcefulness. According to him US Geological Service For many years it has produced more than 90% of this valuable resource. In 2022 its market share was reduced to 70%, but did not do so because of a decrease in production; This fall had its origin in the increase in rare earth production quota experienced Australia, Vietnam and Myanmar, among other countries. In addition, the country led by Xi Jinping also dominates the processing industry to which it is necessary to submit rare earth so that they can be used. So much so that according to Xincaifu Its quota if we expressly stick to the global processing industry ascends 90%. And with a 70% production of the global market and a 90% control of the Chinese rare earth processing industry has this absolutely controlled market. The Chinese government is using its control of rare earths to defend their strategic interests in full confrontation with the US The government of this Asian country is using its control of these chemical elements to defend their strategic interests In full confrontation with the US, Europe and its allies. In this context, the old continent needs to bet on its independence and the consolidation of its own supply chain. And it is in it. In fact, Germany has just made a very important contribution in a scenario of fundamental use of rare earths: the manufacture of lasers. These devices are used to produce medical equipment, in scientific research, in the manufacture of consumer electronics, and even in the tuning of Quantum computersamong many other industries. Rare earths are used to dopar the crystals That, very broadly, they are responsible for amplifying the light before emitting it with a fixed wavelength. The problem is that if these chemical elements are not available the production of high quality lasers is not viable. Well, it really wasn’t until now. And it is that the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics, which is located in Karlsruhe (Germany), has found a way to manufacture the crystals involved in the production of lasers without using rare earths. In fact, we can see some of these crystals in the cover photography of this article. During its manufacturing process it is essential to minimize impurities and preserve the polarization properties of the crystals, but, apparently, the researchers of the Fraunhofer Institute have given in the Diana. Your plan now goes through developing production processes that guarantee the supply of these crystals that Europe requires. Image | FRANHOFER INSTITUTE OF OPTRONICS More information | Interesting Engineering In Xataka | We already know what is the best natural factory of the precious rare earths: a cosmic kilonova

We thought to choose among more options would make us freer. The “choice paradox” has made us more unhappy

June 3, 2025 by usatoday24

White or blue shirt, coffee or tea, peach jam or raspberry, car or public transport, meat or fish, cinema or afternoon on a terrace, wine or beer, potato tortilla with or without onion. A study He estimated that we take Between 10,000 and 40,000 decisions a daybut our brain prefers not to make it too complicated. The paradox of the choice is its personal revenge that makes, The more options You have to choose, less satisfactory is the choice. When choosing becomes a problem Currently making decisions has become a Unexpected stress source and discontent. The funny thing is that this phenomenon is produced by having Too many options available to choose. The choice paradox explains why, despite having more alternatives than ever, those decisions are less satisfactory for those who perform them and experience greater anxiety after deciding. This phenomenon, studied and popularized By psychologist Barry Schwartz, he reveals that the abundance of options can be a psychological trap. As he says, “instead of becoming happier, an abundance of options tends to block, frustrate and cause the persistent feeling that it could have chosen better.” This paradox affects all aspects, both in personal life with everyday purchases, and Important decisions in the professional or work environment. A study Of the psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper showed that consumers were less likely to buy when they had to choose between 24 jam flavors than when they only had 6 flavors. Alternative overload not only complicates the decision, it also reduces satisfaction with the chosen. A study jointly carried out between different US researchers revealed that, although the variety in the election tends to be considered as a positive option, the excess options actually has negative connotations Emotional since it takes the brain to two states. The first state is a Excessive comparison effort of elements that generates a greater mental burden at the time of making the decision, and then moving to a state of anxiety and dissatisfaction at the doubt of whether the most accurate decision has been made. Something that people of success like Jeff Bezos They have had to learn To make your decisions. Maximizers and satisfiers: two styles of deciding A Psychological study Posted in American Psychological Association revealed that people They face decision making with two differentiated styles: maximizers and satisfiers. Maximizers always seek the best possible option, exhaustively comparing all alternatives before deciding. This group tends to experience more dissatisfaction, doubts and repentance, since “the process of looking for the perfect option can be endless and exhausting.” They are easy prey for analysis by analysis: Have so many options to choose from that they are unable to opt for one. On the other hand, the satisfiers are made up of an option that, although not fit in all requirements, meets certain criteria of sufficiency No need to analyze all possibilities. It is simply an option good enough As if to be the right, regardless of whether it is the “perfect.” The Research in this regard They have shown that satisfiers are usually happier and less anxious after making a decision, since they do not become obsessed with what they could have chosen and focus on enjoying their choice, while maximizing “tend to experience less satisfaction and more regret,” the authors of those investigations point out. Strategies to choose better The directors of large corporations, whose decisions depends on the future of thousands of employees and the money of their investors, must take into account this paradox when making their decisions. To avoid falling into the choice paradox trap, there are some strategies recommended by psychology experts. One of the most effective is to limit the number of options to considerfocusing only on those that really meet our personal needs or values. For example, it is one of the reasons that led Mark Zuckerberg to reduce the choice of your costumeslimited to a gray shirt and blue roofs. As Barry Schwartz points out, “by reducing options and focusing on what really matters, we can make more satisfactory decisions and live with less anxiety. “ Another useful strategy is to accept that it is not always possible to find the perfect option and that, in many cases, “good enough” is more than enough. Adopt a satisfactory mentality allows you to take most agile decisions and enjoy more about the result. This strategy is especially relevant in the business world, since dedicating too much time to make a decision It can lead to stop the company’s progress and let the competition take advantage. He world of technology And video games are full of examples of such decisions in which the decision has been made to launch a product that is already good enough, even if it is not perfect. The iPhone, without going any further, is one of them. In Xataka | Studying from memory seems good idea until you forget it. The Feynman method appeals to your understanding not to your memory Image | Unspash (Vladislav Babieko, Holigil 27, Victoriano Izquierdo)

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