Mobile Tech & Gadgets

Chernobyl is full of radioactive dogs. It has nothing to do with the nuclear accident, according to a study

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Behind him Chernobyl nuclear plant accidentthe areas close to the plant continue to be dangerous for humans. He reactor number four The Vladimir Ilyich Lenin plant exploded on April 26, 1986, releasing 500 times more radioactive material in northern Ukraine than was used in the Hiroshima bomb. It was a natural disaster that, little by little, became a paradise full of radioactive animals and plants. And it is because, beyond the few humans who work in maintenance tasks, the visits and those who installed the New Safe Sarcophagusthe animals roam freely. Among them, there are dogs, so many that they were baptized as “the Chernobyl puppies”. When the accident occurred, the dogs were abandoned, but in recent years, the population has skyrocketed and it is estimated that there are around a thousand dogs roaming freely. Petting one of these adorable little dogs is not a good idea due to their radioactive load, but a new study points out that the genetic differences of these dogs have nothing to do with a radiation-induced mutation. The radioactive dogs of Chernobyl Watching the video above, it seems impossible to resist the temptation of petting these puppies. The problem is that they have radioactive particles in their fur, but the incredible thing about this story is that they simply exist so close to the accident zone. The ionizing radiation It interacts in a curious way with the tissues of living beings: it breaks chemical bonds and modifies the structure of the chains of atoms. It is what causes animals to develop tumors, something that The plants adapted much better due to its particularities. Of that thousand of dogs wandering around Chernobyl302 have been under study for some time by the University of South Carolina or the National Human Genome Research Institute with the purpose of characterizing their genetic structure. The animals belong to three different populations that have lived inside the plant and at distances of between 10 and 15 kilometers from ‘ground zero’. Their research aims to help answer questions about how humans and other species can adapt to survive in such aggressive environments, and researchers are already getting some answers. The first thing is that it seems that these dogs are evolving at a different rate than dogs from neighboring areas. They have some distinctive genetic traits in their DNA that they have developed over the years and a few months ago they already they dropped that the radiation could have nothing to do with them. Now it is North Carolina State University and the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University who have shared a study in which they claim that they have been working with two populations of dogs, separated only by about 16 kilometershave different genetic traits. “We are trying to determine whether exposure to low levels of environmental toxins, such as radiation, lead, etc., over many years could explain some of these differences,” says Matthew Breen, one of the authors. What they did was start looking for differences at the chromosomal level, later in small intervals of the genome and, finally, differences in nucleotides. Reactor number 4 with its current sarcophagus The goal was to find abnormalities and evidence of DNA mutations in reproductive cells, which are passed from generation to generation. “It’s like using the zoom function on your phone’s camera to get more details: We start with a wide view of the subject and then zoom in,” says Breen. And the result is interesting, since it seems that radiation does not have much to do with the changes found: “We know that, for example, exposure to high doses of radiation can introduce instability from the chromosomal level down. Although this dog population is 30 or more generations removed from those present during the 1986 disaster, the mutations would likely still be detectable if they offered a survival advantage to those original dogs. But we found no evidence of that in these dogs.” The work follows its coursesince with what they have found, the researchers cannot rule out the role of selective pressure in explaining the differences between the two populations of dogs. “In human terms, this is like studying a population that is centuries away from the one that was present at the time of the disaster. It is possible that the dogs that survived long enough to reproduce already had genetic traits that increased their ability to survive and, perhaps, what there was was extreme ‘natural selection’ at the beginning,” says another of the authors, Megan Dillon. The researcher points out that it may be that, after this extreme pressure, the nuclear plant dogs were simply kept separate from the city’s population. “Investigating this path is a next step that we are working on,” he comments. Unavoidable disasters Another of the authors is Norman Kleiman, of the Columbia University School of Public Health. Keiman comments that “most people think of the Chernobyl nuclear accident as a radiological disaster in an abandoned corner of Ukraine, but the potential adverse health implications are much broader,” and this is due to many other toxins, such as heavy metals, lead dust, pesticides and asbestos. The curious thing is that most of these toxins were released into the environment during the decades of cleanup that followed and this is something that may also have had an influence on the living beings in the area. “Studying companion animals, like these dogs, gives us a window into the types of health risks that people may face.” “The importance of continuing to study the environmental health aspects of large-scale disasters like this cannot be overstated. It is certain that, given the increasingly technological and industrial nature of our societies, there will inevitably be other similar disasters in the future, and we need to understand the possible health risks and how to better protect people,” the researcher emphasizes. Thus, understanding these genetic variations in dogs is not only the answer to a scientific curiosity, but also something practical in order to better … Read more

I started reading ‘Cointelligence’ with a lot of skepticism. Its reasonableness makes it an essential book on AI

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If the readings on productivity They are a minefield in which you have to dodge bombs before finding gold, the AI ​​readings are even more so. Most are divided into two large groups: Unbridled techno-optimism. Apocalyptic catastrophism. And that’s if you’re lucky and it’s not a scam to sell you a course. That’s why I celebrate when I find a book like ‘Co-intelligence‘, by Ethan Mollick, who shines for its balance. Cold head. It recognizes the existential risks, but focuses on how to pragmatically leverage AI today. As a Wharton professor specializing in innovation and entrepreneurship, Mollick has been on the front lines of observing and experimenting with AI in education. Its central concept of ‘cointelligence’ –see AI as a co-worker, not as a threat nor as a messianic savior– is quite persuasive. And he gives concrete examples from his classes at Wharton to show how AI can amplify human capabilities instead of replacing them. Perhaps the most valuable is in his ideas about how AI is already transforming education and employment (perhaps in some latitudes more than others). For example, in his analysis of how students already use ChatGPT and how that forces rethink assessments and homework. He also has a very clear vision of how companies should adapt to this panorama: not by banning AI, but by finding ways to integrate it productively. On the B side of the album, the book has some weak points. For example, it tangentially transmits a certain hasteas if it had been written in haste to take advantage of the timing. Some sections, especially those that point to predictions for the future, could have directly been better developed. What I find most problematic is the over-reliance on examples from academia. His experience as a professor is valuable and supports the book, but his case studies focus too much on university professors… and elite students. This greatly limits the applicability of the conclusions to sectors other than academia. and there I missed a somewhat more diverse analysis of use cases in SMEs or other work sectors. It would have greatly strengthened his argument about the universal adaptability of AI. Despite these asterisks, ‘Cointelligence’ is a good contribution to the literature of the early years of generative AI. A good framework to think about AI that does not fall into fear but does not allow itself to be overwhelmed by the train of thought. hype. It is a book that lacks all the answers, but that is not what it intends. Rather it brings us closer to asking ourselves the right questions. It’s already a lot. For anyone looking to understand what position to take in this rise of generative AI, I find this a good read. It is not a perfect book, but at least it offers a calm perspective and nuanced analysis. Surely it’s what we need most at this point in the film. Co-intelligence: Living and working with AI In Xataka | I thought I should always read new books, until rereading showed me what I was missing Featured image | Xataka, Connect

Cruises will save a lot of fuel through the sun through their balconies: a new German proposal

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Solar balconies have proven to be effective in terms of self -consumption in countries such as Germany, Netherlands And even Spain. But what would happen if we took them to the middle of the sea? Not in the form of floating panels, but integrated into a cruise. A cruise with solar panels. An investigation has developed A simulation to check the installation of photovoltaic in the cruise cabin. The objective of the project is to feed public services and, at the same time, reduce the environmental impact. The initiative raised by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and Siemens Energy Global have taken cruise data that navigated the Caribbean already along the Norwegian and Danish coasts. These routes were not randomly selected: the differences in solar radiation between tropical and northern European regions offered an ideal range to evaluate the performance of photovoltaic systems in very different climatic conditions. The design. The study has raised a system that integrates solar panels of 250 W and 22 % efficiency in the boots of the cabins. In addition, each cabin would be equipped with two panels: one integrated into the glass barrier of the balcony at an angle of 90 ° and another placed at an angle of 30 °, between the ship’s covers. The scientists themselves have explained that if a cruise of the Helios class with 1,655 shots with balcony is extrapolated, in terms of scalability the maximum photovoltaic capacity would be at 827.5 kW, which is a significant step towards a cleaner energy in high high sea. The networks. Currently, cruises are adopting continuous current (CC) networks to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources. In each case, the researchers evaluated three integration approaches for solar panels. First, a network of 48 volts, which directly feeds the cabins, but its high cost and maintenance makes it less practical. On the other hand, the 350 volt network, which acts as a secondary distribution network, balancing security, efficiency and operational simplicity. Finally, the 700 volt network, which connects with the machine room to be a primary network, but has greater energy losses. After evaluating these options, researchers have concluded that the 350 V network combines security measures, lower cost and simplicity in maintenance for the integration of panels into the balconies. In addition, the system is complemented by iron and lithium phosphate batteries (Lifepo4), specifically designed to store energy in case of emergency, cushion demand peaks and guarantee a stable supply. The results. Scientists have performed simulations with Python taking into account more than 100 energy demand scenarios in the cabins during two cruise routes: a 15 -day tour of the Caribbean in March and an eight -day route along the coasts of Denmark and Norway during the months of August and September. With that recreation they have discovered that photovoltaic systems managed to cover 45% of the needs in the Caribbean and 47% in northern Europe. As for energy savings, it was an average of 3.2 MWh in the Caribbean and 3.8 MWh in Norway and Denmark. Finally, the environmental impact would reduce CO2 emissions between 1,500 and 1,800 kg per day, depending on the route. Other boats with solar panels. The study not only highlights the potential of solar balconies to improve the energy efficiency of cruises, but also ask questions about their scalability and future applications. However, it is not the first time that we see solar panels in ships, we have already seen progress in future candles with photovoltaic and, even, there are many millionaires who They bet on ideas more sustainable. Despite being a sector that It presents challenges For the autonomy of their batteries or the lack of load infrastructure, but this German idea in the cruises promises to open new possibilities of high seas efficiency. Image | DLR Institute of Networked Energy Systems CC BY 4.0 Xataka | The solar panels have conquered the balconies of Germany. With this invention they can also store the energy surplus

Europe has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world. The explanation lies in the DNA of the steppe shepherds

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First there were hunter-gatherers about 45,000 years ago. The first modern humans arrived in a Europe where the Neanderthals still reigned. Then there were the farmers of the Middle East about 11,000 years ago and finally, about 5,000 years ago they were the nomadic pastoralists of the steppes of Central Asia. That is, according to research published in the journal Naturethe common genetic heritage of Europeans. A heritage that explains why, in an incredible historical twist, multiple sclerosis affects us more. A DNA mutating in the middle of the great steppe. While agriculture gained weight in the world, the great Eurasian steppe continued doing its thing. The culture yamnaa group of pastoral towns that arose in the enormous plains south of the Urals and east of the Black Sea, generations and generations passed living with livestock. Variant. It was there that it emerged (and was selected) a small genetic variant that strengthened natural immunity against zoonoses; that is, against livestock infections that could easily jump to the human communities that raised them. 5,000 years later, this genetic variant is behind the fact that Europeans have a higher risk of suffering from Multiple Sclerosis. The deep origins of current diseases. The study led by the Universities of Cambridge and Copenhagen (but with the participation of many more) analyze in detail from the DNA of almost 5,000 individuals spread throughout history. Some studied remains date back to about 34,000 years ago. The reconstruction. Reconstructing humanity’s immense genetic tree, researchers found numerous keys to understanding why there are specific geographic areas or ethnic groups that suffer from some diseases more than others. They realized that southern Europeanswith a greater genetic legacy from the agricultural people of the Middle East, have a greater predisposition to develop bipolar disorders; that people from the East had a higher genetic risk of developing Alzheimer’s or diabetes; and those from the northwest had a heightened risk of sclerosis. A medical enigma. For years, scientists have tried to understand why Europe has, with about 143 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest incidence rates of sclerosis in the world. As I said in the previous paragraph, as you go south and east those differences fade, but (even so) the greater risk of developing this disease It is a European ‘differential fact’. Understanding better. The most interesting thing about all this is that the idea that the answer lies in the genetic history of its inhabitants It is not only a historical curiosity. On the contrary, thinking about this from an evolutionary point of view allows us to understand the disease in a new way. In Xataka | Where genes, do what you see: the surprising genetic differences (and similarities) within the Iberian Peninsula Image | Charlotte Venema *An earlier version of this article was published in January 2024

The story of how brown was commercially imposed

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If I ask you to close your eyes and imagine an egg, it is very likely that egg was white. Gallina eggs, both in the collective imaginary and in popular culture, are white. And, however, nine out of ten eggs They are sold to the public in Spain are brown. Why are the eggs no longer white? Where have they gotten? Egg shell. The most direct answer is that they have not gotten anywhere. The color of the eggs, in principle, depends on something very simple: the color of the chickens. In very general termsdark plumage chickens give brunette eggs and light color chickens give white eggs. And I say in general terms because there are blue eggs, pink, green beige and even broken white. There are various theories that explain thisbut the most popular tells us that they are adaptations of the different species of chickens to favor camouflage and survival in nature. Beyond that evolutionary reason, the color gives a bit the same: because there are no organoleptic differences in eggs according to their flavor. This, of course, does not solve the mystery of the disappearance of white eggs but makes it deeper. The reign of white eggs. During the 50s and 60s, when egg production began to ‘intensive’, Spanish farmers White chickens began to introduce. It made sense, They were varieties They lived longer and were more productive. It was no coincidence: the Leghorn variety, one of the most popular, had been selected in the US, England and Italy for more than a hundred years. That genetic advantage ‘continues to occur today: according to the data of poultry varieties in Germanywhite chickens put about 450 eggs in 18 months, while browns that put about 380. In addition, white are smaller (they occupy less space, they eat less) and less aggressive. The result is that white eggs have 9% less costs than brown. And what happened to them? The brilliant success of white eggs had a problem: in a country that had urbanized very quickly (and in which a good part of its population maintained contact with the rural world), consumers They began to associate The white color with intensive and industrial livestock. Actually, taste, nutritional value or egg quality They do not depend of color. They depend on things such as the good health of the animal, the physical activity they perform or its food. Therefore, for decades the farm eggs were at a disadvantage with which those who put small farms in the market (or raised at home). Like those small farms used local varieties (that is, brown), the identification between brunette eggs and camperus eggs caught in the collective imaginary. The market response … When the producers realized this, they began to modify what they took to the market: little by little, the linear of the supermarket were filled with brunette eggs and the white eggs were redirected to the hospitality or industrial food (where going at the price is more important). … but from the Spanish market. It is important to take this into account: in countries like Germany, white eggs are kings and In the Netherlands they have more and more weight in the market. In the United States and England, you can find the two types of major problem. That (above all, taking into account what has happened in other European markets) leads us to ask ourselves if it is possible that white eggs end up returning to supermarkets. To the extent that there are no substantial differences between some eggs and others, until when will prejudices last the white eggs that lead us to ignore something as “objective” as the price? No one knows it for sure. Above all, because unlike small markets such as the Dutchman (in front of the German), Spanish is a very difficult bone to crack for foreign competition. However, we already know The little that these balances last. Image | I fuck a lot In Xataka | Why you have to keep the eggs in the refrigerator if they do not have refrigerated in the supermarket

Kalma is North Korea’s first real effort to become a vacation spot. For now only for Russians

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In October we told a surreal story if it weren’t for the fact that it was completely true. North Korea had a plan in hand: to become a vacation enclave with all of the law. In essence, although with nuances: setting up your own Benidorm, inspired by Spain. For May of this year it was expected Wonsan-Kalma resort. The project is not only moving forward, there is already a scheduled date for the arrival of tourists, for now only from Russia. Inspired by Spain. As we count thenIn fact Wonsan-Kalma project started in 2014with the vision of transforming the Kalma peninsula into a luxury destination with hotels, restaurants and attractions, including even initial plans for an underwater hotel. The ambition of the project was reflected in 2017, when a delegation of 16 North Korean officials visited Spain to study tourism development models in places such as Marina d’Or and Terra Mítica, in Benidorm. The experiences acquired influenced the design of the complex, with emphasis on hotel infrastructure, leisure and complementary services, as Reuters reported at the time. The only “but”: that the North Korean region is known for another peculiaritya priori not very compatible with tourist success. They have apparently used the coastal region of Wonsan in the past to test ballistic missiles. In fact, in 2020 the South Korean General Staff warned that two projectiles had been launched from Wonsan itself, about 180 kilometers from Seoul. A megaproject under state control. According to the American expert on North Korea, Jacob Boglethe tourist complex will be the largest development of its kind in the country and possibly the largest in the world under a single state owner. Unlike Benidorm, which was developed over time with various private investments, the Wonsan project is or will be a single, centralized structure, operated exclusively by the government. In this regard, the complex will include facilities such as an aquarium and sports centers, but its tourism approach will be subject to traditional North Korean restrictions, where visitors must follow rigidly planned itineraries, usually in groups organized from factories, schools or state-owned enterprises. . Tourism as a means of earning foreign currency. We also told it a few months ago and it is the most important leg of this investment. Unlike other areas of the North Korean economy, the tourism sector is not subject to international sanctionswhich represents a key opportunity to obtain foreign currency. Hence, the North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, has highlighted that the country has “rich and diverse tourist resources” that can be used to revitalize the regional economy and improve the living standards of the population. The main target markets for North Korean tourism, at least initially, seem clear: Russia and China, countries with which Pyongyang has strengthened political and economic ties in recent years. In fact, after the partial reopening of the borders in 2023, The first tourists to visit the country were Russiansand the state travel agency, Korean International Travel Company, has been promoting North Korea’s tourist attractions to Russian travelers. Now that bet has been reaffirmed. First packages: the Russian tourist. The news these days is that a Russian travel agency has started promoting the new tourist area of ​​Kalma with the idea that the first foreign tourists to visit the complex are Russians. The Vladivostok-based company Vostok Intur has announced three travel dates to the Wonsan-Kalma tourist resort, starting in July, according to a post on its Telegram channel. In this regard, the agency offers eight-day packageswith the first excursion scheduled for July 7-14, followed by two additional trips in August. The cost of the package: $1,400with additional expenses to be paid in Russian rubles and including: Accommodation for seven nights, with three meals a day. Round-trip flights to North Korea. Guided tours of Pyongyang at the end of the trip, as part of the experience. According to the agency, tourists will be able to enjoy an “ecologically clean” environment with entertainment options for all budgets and a gastronomic variety adapted to various tastes. A strategic opening. Thus, the announcement of the start of operations of the Kalma tourist area comes after a decade of construction, with official opening now planned for June 2025. In fact, Kim Jong-un, who personally inspected the complex with his daughter, has called the project a “big step” in the development of the country’s tourism industry, describing it as a “spectacular, beautiful and magnificent” place. First Russia, and then we’ll see. As we said, the interest in attracting Russian tourists to the Kalma area reinforces the growing relationship between Moscow and Pyongyangstrengthened by cooperation in strategic sectors following increased tension between Russia and the West due to the war in Ukraine. North Korea seems to be clear about and identified Russia as a priority market, given that, as we explained, tourism is not subject to these international sanctions and offers a safe way to obtain foreign currency. Challenges of North Korea, vacation enclave. There is no doubt, although tourism promotion through Russian agencies marks an important and decisive step for the exploitation of the Kalma complex, the project faces known challengessuch as mobility restrictions within the country, limited access to objective information or security issues for those who travel. Despite this, the nation trusts that the tourist area will serve as a key tool to promote regional development and improve the international perception of the country as a tourist destination. Let Benidorm tremble. Image | Clay Gilliland In Xataka | The idea of ​​North Korea in the midst of an international tourism boom: setting up its own Benidorm, inspired by Spain In Xataka | North Korea has a lifeline to avoid sanctions: fake hair

The 13 keys to ‘Plan Mexico’, Mexico’s strategy to protect itself from China and wink at Trump

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“Continue making Mexico the best country in the world.” That is the ambitious objective of Claudia Sheinbaum, current president of Mexico, who will face a complicated panorama in the coming weeks due to the tariff plans of a Donald Trump who has entered the White House stomping. And to achieve that goal, Sheinbaum has presented his government’s 13 goals to reduce poverty and inequality, while turning the country into an attractive destination for investors. Mexico Plan. On January 13, Sheinbaum advertisement to the nation that “Mexico has a plan and is united forward.” He commented that there is a portfolio of intention of national and foreign investments and that, to attract all possible capital, they have created 13 goals to continue developing the country. These points of the Mexico Plan are the following: Go from the 12th economy to the tenth in the world. Raise the proportion of investment to GDP, above 25%. Generate 1.5 million jobs. 50% of what is consumed in the country are products “made in Mexico” in the textile, footwear, furniture and toys sectors. Increase national content by 15%. 50% of public purchases will be of national production. Vaccines made in Mexico thanks to advanced biotechnology programs. Going from 2.5 years to one year the time it takes to process a new business, also with the requirements for this reduced by 50%. Increase 150,000 additional professionals and technicians annually to those already generated. Business environmental sustainability. 30% of SMEs with access to financing from both private and government banks. Be one of the five most visited countries worldwide. Reduce poverty and inequality. Billionaire. One of the legs on which Plan Mexico will be based is to attract investments. According to the Government, nearly 2,000 projects are being contemplated by companies seeking to establish themselves in the country, which implies national and foreign investments of 277,000 million dollars. “Made in Mexico”. Something that is mentioned several times in the plan is the concept of “made in Mexico”, and as we see in BBCit is something that has every intention. One of the main focuses of this strategy is to return to manufacturing elements in Mexico to develop an industry that has been left aside. For example, prioritizing the textile sector that had been relegated to what Mexico imported, mainly from countries like China. Over the last decades, the country stopped producing what it consumed to import it from Asia and Rogelio Ramírez, Secretary of the Treasury, declared that “10% of exports currently have Mexico as a destination.” Playing both sides. Ramírez commented that “this loss of participation cost us, especially Mexico and the United States, a lot of industry and loss of activity. “Entire sectors were lost.” This is why a plan that favors the national business fabric can benefit both Mexico and its main trading partner, the United States. In the Government document it was specified that China had cornered the international industry and that the objective was to make Mexico recover the lost ground. Ramírez explained that, if replace 10% of China’s exports to North America with Mexican products, the country’s GDP would increase by 1.2%, that of the United States by 0.8% and that of Canada by 0.2%. The problem is that Mexico and China have been strengthening their relations for years. So much so that Trade between both countries skyrocketed during 2024turning Mexico into the gateway for Chinese products to the United States and, therefore, the Asian giant as a valuable trading partner. An example is companies electric cars like JAC or SEV, which have already announced million-dollar investments to open factories in Mexico. AND BYD is also very clear that, to enter the US market, they need to make the leap to Mexico. “No recipe for Donald Trump”. Despite Trump’s threats, Mexico can be crowned as an important US trading partner to get rid of China. We will see what happens with the protectionist policies that the new American president has promised during his campaign, since they may not have been just lip service. The reason is that Trump has no expectations of re-election, so he can go in with everything, giving free rein to his most aggressive ideas and policies. He has threatened Mexico on several occasions, as well as Canada, and Carlos Pérez Ricart, from the Center for Economic Research and Teaching, believes that “there is no recipe or adequate response for Donald Trump. Nobody has the key here and there is so much uncertainty in terms of rates and interventionism that there is nothing clear that can be planned.” What is evident is that Sheinbaum is clear that, coinciding with the arrival of the new president of the United States, citizens should know that there is a plan B in the medium and long term. We will see if it is enough and to what extent the promised US protectionism affects Mexico. Images | White House, Aeneas of Troy In Xataka | China and the US want the same territory in South America. China has offered an ambitious project, Trump will enter by force

The magnetic north pole has been moving rapidly. This is how navigation instruments follow the step

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What do we talk about when we talk about the North Pole? The truth is that it depends since, on our planet we can distinguish two key geographical points that respond to this name, but with different “surname.” They are the magnetic north pole and the geographical north pole. Distinguishing them is key because only one of them has a fixed location while the other wanders in their proximity. But, in addition, it makes it faster. Reviewing the location. The new year has been released With an update that has gone more or less unnoticed but that is of the utmost importance: it is the world magnetic model (WMM) of 2025. The revision of the model not only includes the information about its current position but also of its displacements planned in the next five years . Accelerated movement. We have known for a long time that the magnetic north pole changes location and we know that the cause is in the changes in the magnetic field of the planet, a field generated by the connective iron movements of the interior of our planet. What is most striking is that, during the last decades the displacement of the magnetic northern pole It has accelerated. If for 300 years this point ranged between the islands located north of Canada, since the end of the 20th century and especially during the new century, the speed of displacement of this markedly accelerated. Now the magnetic north has already exceeded the geographical north and is closer to Siberia than from Canada. “The current behavior of the magnetic north is something we had never seen before. (…) In recent years he accelerated towards Siberia, increasing speed every year until about five, when he suddenly seized 50 to 35 km per year, ” explained in a press release William Brown, of the British Geological Survey (BGS), one of the institutions in charge of the development of the model. The world magnetic model. The model It is the result of the collaboration between the National Environmental Information Centers (NCEI) of the NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) American and the BGS, as well as two intelligence agencies on both sides of the Atlantic. The model is used in various contexts, from aviation to commercial GPS and applications that use compasses on our mobile. The model includes a series of maps that not only indicate the location of the magnetic north but also mapped the changes in the Earth’s magnetic field, allowing to know the behavior of compasses at each point of the northern hemisphere. More precision. The latest version of the model, WMM2025will help improve navigation, especially in long -distance tours. As explained by the BGS, a trip between South Africa and the United Kingdom, using the old model, would imply a slight deviation of a degree on the way. The problem is that, over 8,500 kilometers, this very small deviation results in an error of 150 kilometers. The new model allows you to approach centimeters from the destination point. The version also incorporates a novelty: a high resolution map that will accompany the “standard” and that can be used in contexts where greater precision is required. This version has a 300 km resolution in Ecuador, notably higher than the 3,300 km resolution in the standard version. The next update. The WMM model is updated every five years, which means that we will have a new version in 2030, WMM2030. This assuming that I do not know any unexpected change in the speed or direction of the displacement that justifies an extraordinary review of the model. In Xataka | The Arctic has been heating faster than we expected. We may not be blamed this time Image | NOAA NCI / Hendrik Morkel

We just found the bathrooms of a Pompeii mansion. A sample of luxury and the darkest side of the Romans

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Pompeya is one of the great archaeological treasures of the world. 2,000 years ago, The pyroclastic wave of Vesubio He swept and buried the cities of Pompeii and Herculano and, although archaeological excavations began in 1739, we still continue discovering the secrets of that civilization. It is estimated that a third of the city continues to remain underground, but in recent years we have found interesting details such as the genome of a Pompeyan or carbonized papyrus rolls with such succulent details as the possible location of Plato’s tomb. During the past year, there was an important step to better understand what the society of the time was like. First, one “Black room”About 15 meters long by six wide that it is estimated, it would have been a banquet room. The black paint of the walls would serve to hide the soot of the oil lamps and something surprising is that the frescoes of the walls were perfectly preserved. The second great discovery was the “Blue room” This, perhaps, was more interesting due not only to the fact that the frescoes were also in a perfect condition, but to the blue pigment that is not common in Pompeian spaces, since it was reserved for the most outstanding rooms of the town. In addition, there were large amphorae and a multitude of remains of … clams. Now, everything makes sense thanks to what has been qualified as “a unique discovery in a century”: the blue and black room were part of a house for the richest among the rich. Pompeya’s house for the richest among the rich Both the black room and the blue room are part of the same complex: a luxury village with one of the largest and most structured private bathrooms that have been discovered … in history. And, to get an idea of ​​the magnitude of the installation, we must imagine something like a spa, but private. Archaeologists who are doing excavation work have detailed BBC News what the house was like, and the truth is that the bathroom occupies a luxury place. It is a spa complex that is the heart of the great residence and has hot and cold rooms, as well as a huge immersion pool. The rooms are decorated with red paint on the walls, fresh, stone banks and mosaic floor. Archaeologists define the place as the perfect example of the “Pompeii effect.” This means that it is preserved so well that it seems that the place has just been abandoned, alive until nothing is done when, really, almost 2,000 years ago that a soul is given a bath in those facilities. The house. In green, laundry. In orange, the bakery/kitchen. In pink, private residence. In purple, the bathrooms But it is not just the huge bathroom: the complex had the black room, the blue, the aforementioned spa, a laundry, rooms and a bakery, plus the private house itself. It is believed that it belonged to Aulus Rustius Verus, an influential Pompeyan politician, and can be the greatest discovery in the town so far. “There are only a few houses that have a private bathroom complex, so it was something really reserved for the richest of the rich. And this is so huge that it is probably the largest bathroom complex in a private house in Pompeya, ”says Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of the Pompeya Archaeological Park. Detail of the bathrooms with the black room in purple and the direct access to the patio porticado with the pool. From there, you could go to other bathrooms such as the hot and cold And that the huge bathroom was next to the bakery and the dining room is not something unusual. The link between the BAOS and the great dining room gives an idea of ​​how the house was a scenario for the celebration of banquets and to make contacts between the high spheres of the time. Celebrating a gun with guests and then enjoying a bathroom, or vice versa, was a political tool to collect electoral support from guests or simply to boast power. And what attracts attention is the pool, with a depth of one meter, occupying the central space of a 10 x 10 meter porticated patio. Zuchtriegel comments that “everything was designed to set up a show in which the owner was the center of attention. The paintings, with themes of the Trojan War and scenes that represent athletes, represented an environment full of culture and erudition, as well as relaxation. ” In addition, he argues that “the public, grateful and satiated, would have applauded the show mounted by the host and owner of the house with sincere admiration, becoming the subject of conversation for a while.” And, beyond the bathrooms themselves, the rear boiler room has been found with pipes and lead systems that heated and distributed hot water, with a valve system that regulated the flow in the different spa rooms. And it is something that also allows you to see the differences of life between the classes, with the owners of the house giving sumptuous bathrooms while the slaves ‘roasted’ feeding the ovens to heat the water. You can see hot water pipes Not everyone was so lucky Now, not all discoveries allow us to look at scenes as relaxing as a good comilona or a relaxing bath. In a small room adjacent to the Blue Room, the remains of two Pompeyans who could not escape the eruption have been found. It is estimated that they were a man and a woman who could not escape because the pyroclastic flow already ran freely through the streets. It was what caused the collapse of a wall that crushed the man, while the woman was still alive. Quickly, the room was filled with the lava, causing the death of the woman. The bone analysis shows that the male skeleton was from someone of a young age, but with wear in the bones that indicates that it was someone of … Read more

Malaysia came up with the idea of ​​painting its roads fluorescent to illuminate them at night. The problem was the price

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In February 2024 we saw that the continuous line of a good part of the A-355, one of the roads with more accidents of Spanish territory, dawned with a thick continuous red line. It was a pilot measure by the DGT to highlight the prohibition of overtaking on that road. A few weeks earlier, a similar program was developed in Malaysia: repainting the road markings of certain roads with a photoluminescent paint. Not even a year has passed and it seems that they will not continue painting. The reason? It is too expensive, which has raised the question of… and they hadn’t thought of that before? The pilot. In mid-November 2023, the Government of Malaysia advertisement the launch of a pilot program that aimed to highlight the lines of certain roads. Using photoluminescent paint with the ability to glow at night. The authorities commented that these initiatives were suitable for dark areas that lacked public lighting. The lines shine for 10 hours and, in case of heavy rain, they also give off a certain shine that helps make them more visible, allowing drivers to stay in their lane. The images leave no room for doubt: it looks much better than the traditional white line, also better than reflective indicators. The project attracted attention. Initially, only 245 meters of road were painted at one intersection, representing about 490 meters of road markings, but other states began to carry out their own tests. Almost 20 times more expensive. The problems came practically from the beginning. The Malaysian Ministry of Works already warned that they were going to be very attentive to the results of the pilot program and the ability to paint on other roads, since the price of the new paint could be a problem. And so much so that it has ended up being an inconvenience. From the Ministry of Works reported that conventional paint costs about 40 ringgit per square meter, about 8.65 euros. Photoluminescent paint costs 749 ringgit per square meter, more than 160 euros. It costs 19 times more per square meter. Putting on the brake. Despite the enthusiasm with which the population received the measure, Malaysia’s deputy labor minister, Ahmad Maslan, commented a few weeks ago that it was not likely that they would continue painting. “The cost is too high, so we probably won’t continue with glow-in-the-dark lanes,” stated. It is curious when, months before, 31 roads had been identified that could have received this type of paint. Maslan stated that the tests did not meet the expectations of the ministry’s experts, without giving further explanations. Questions and suspicions. This is part of the eternal debate about priorities, budget and security, since we must remember that the areas that were going to receive this type of paintings are wooded and lack lighting, making it dangerous to travel through them due to interactions between humans. as by the action of animals crossing each other. And, evidently, the news has raised suspicions of corruption in local mediawith users who wondered if they didn’t know all this before starting the pilot project, what are those expectations that the painting has failed to meet… and that someone will have filled their pockets with the initial contract. Images | Alexander Nanta Linggi, Bernama (Azlim Mansor) In Xataka | The Tour de France has a team dedicated exclusively to something crucial: erasing penises painted on the roads

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