Day: October 7, 2019

Rodents With Part-Human Brains Pose a New Challenge for Bioethics

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Rapid progress in research involving miniature human brains grown in a dish has led to a host of ethical concerns, particularly when these human brain cells are transplanted into nonhuman animals. A new paper evaluates the potential risks of creating “humanized” animals, while providing a pathway for scientists to move forward in this important area. Read more about Rodents With Part-Human Brains Pose a New Challenge for Bioethics[…]

To find the best parking spot, do the math

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The next time you’re hunting for a parking spot, mathematics could help you identify the most efficient strategy, according to a recent paper in the Journal of Statistical Mechanics. It’s basically an optimization problem: weighing different variables and crunching the numbers to find the optimal combination of those factors. In the case of where to Read more about To find the best parking spot, do the math[…]

US, UK and Australia want Zuckerberg To Halt Plans For End-To-End Encryption Across Facebook’s Apps – because they want to be able to spy on you. As will other criminals. What happened to the “Free world”?

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Attorney General Bill Barr, along with officials from the United Kingdom and Australia, is set to publish an open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg asking the company to delay plans for end-to-end encryption across its messaging services until it can guarantee the added privacy does not reduce public safety. A draft of the letter, Read more about US, UK and Australia want Zuckerberg To Halt Plans For End-To-End Encryption Across Facebook’s Apps – because they want to be able to spy on you. As will other criminals. What happened to the “Free world”?[…]

Bitcoin Isn’t the World’s Most-Used Cryptocurrency – it’s a centralised one run by some private company in Hong Kong

Posted on by Robin Edgar

With Tether’s monthly trading volume about 18% higher than that of Bitcoin, it’s arguably the most important coin in the crypto ecosystem. Tether’s also one of the main reasons why regulators regard cryptocurrencies with a wary eye, and have put the breaks on crypto exchange-traded funds amid concern of market manipulation. “If there is no Read more about Bitcoin Isn’t the World’s Most-Used Cryptocurrency – it’s a centralised one run by some private company in Hong Kong[…]

Egypt caught spying on journalists and human rights activists through malware and phishing

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Back in March 2019, Amnesty International published a report that uncovered a targeted attack against journalists and human rights activists in Egypt. The victims even received an e-mail from Google warning them that government-backed attackers attempted to steal their passwords. According to the report, the attackers did not rely on traditional phishing methods or credential-stealing Read more about Egypt caught spying on journalists and human rights activists through malware and phishing[…]

Paralysed man moves in mind-reading exoskeleton

Posted on by Robin Edgar

A man has been able to move all four of his paralysed limbs with a mind-controlled exoskeleton suit, French researchers report. Thibault, 30, said taking his first steps in the suit felt like being the “first man on the Moon”. His movements, particularly walking, are far from perfect and the robo-suit is being used only Read more about Paralysed man moves in mind-reading exoskeleton[…]

Iran tried to hack hundreds of politicians, journalists email accounts last month, warns Microsoft

Posted on by Robin Edgar

The Iranian government has attempted to hack into hundreds of Office 365 email accounts belonging to politicians, government officials and journalists last month, Microsoft has warned. “We’ve recently seen significant cyber activity by a threat group we call Phosphorous, which we believe originates from Iran and is linked to the Iranian government,” Microsoft’s vice president Read more about Iran tried to hack hundreds of politicians, journalists email accounts last month, warns Microsoft[…]

Attackers exploit 0-day vulnerability that gives full control of Android phones

Posted on by Robin Edgar

Attackers are exploiting a zero-day vulnerability in Google’s Android mobile operating system that can give them full control of at least 18 different phone models, including four different Pixel models, a member of Google’s Project Zero research group said on Thursday night. There’s evidence the vulnerability is being actively exploited, either by exploit developer NSO Read more about Attackers exploit 0-day vulnerability that gives full control of Android phones[…]