More from Jack Aylmer
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Supreme Court agrees to hear appeal from TikTok on US ban in January
The U.S. Supreme Court said on Wednesday, Dec. 18, it will hear an appeal from TikTok challenging a U.S. law that could end up banning the social media app next month. The court’s announcement comes after an appeal by TikTok this week. The Supreme Court justices will hear oral arguments on Jan. 10 before deciding… -
Study finds ‘forever chemicals’ in higher-priced smartwatch wristbands
A recent study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters has raised concerns about the presence of potentially harmful “forever chemicals” in certain smartwatch wristbands. These chemicals, known as PFAS, are human-made compounds that can persist in both the environment and the human body for decades. Researchers from the University of Notre Dame screened 22… -
Enormous demand for AI could lead to US and Canada blackouts
Growing demand for artificial intelligence could lead to blackouts across the United States and Canada as soon as next year. The warning on Tuesday, Dec. 17, came from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), an industry watchdog. NERC predicts that electrical consumption will increase by 15% over the next decade. The report comes as… -
Study finds dozens of Miami area high-rises are sinking, raising concerns
New research published in the journal Earth and Space Science reveals that dozens of luxury high-rises in Miami are sinking. Researchers said some parts of the city’s metropolitan area are experiencing subsidence, or sinking, in nearly 70% of their buildings. Researchers conducted the study using data collected at the University of Miami between 2016 and… -
Most teens aren’t drinking, smoking or doing drugs, new survey shows
It looks like drinking, smoking and getting high aren’t considered as cool as they used to be among teenagers these days. Every year since 2017, researchers with the Monitoring the Future project have tracked the number of eighth, 10th and 12th graders abstaining from alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use. It found 2024 saw the lowest… -
Real estate platform lets homebuyers search neighbors’ political leanings
Would you want to know your potential neighbor’s political views before deciding to buy a house? A new real estate platform is making that idea a reality. Oyssey lets buyers access a neighborhood’s political affiliations based on election results and campaign contributions. The company’s CEO Huw Nierenberg told Axios the feature gives users access to… -
Fully intact mastodon jaw found in New York resident’s backyard
A New York homeowner recently made an unexpected discovery in their backyard. Paleontologists announced on Tuesday, Dec. 17, that they unearthed a complete mastodon jaw in Orange County. The adult mastodon jaw was found sticking out of the soil of the resident’s backyard. Sparked by curiosity, the homeowner reportedly found two teeth hidden by the… -
Honda and Nissan reportedly discuss a merger to strengthen EV competitiveness
A pair of Japan’s largest automakers, Honda and Nissan, are in talks to form a partnership to boost their competitiveness in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. The companies have reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding outlining plans to split equity into a new holding company from which both will do business. A key objective of… -
Amazon invests $10 billion in Ohio data centers to drive AI evolution
Amazon is adding to its major Midwest technology hub investment while helping to shape the future of artificial intelligence. The company will invest $10 billion dollars in Ohio over the next five years. The company will use the money to expand its Amazon Web Service data centers. They house equipment for powering AI, machine learning… -
World’s most powerful wind turbine sees its typhoon-proof blades break in China
The world’s largest single-capacity wind turbine, located off the coast of China, recently experienced a blade failure during testing. Multiple blades reportedly broke off while the turbine was still spinning, though no injuries have been recorded as a result of the incident. This massive piece of renewable energy infrastructure was built by Mingyang. The company… -
Congress votes to officially make bald eagle the US national bird
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, one American symbol is finally getting its official due: the bald eagle. Congress has passed a bill that would officially make the bald eagle the national bird of the United States. The bill is now pending President Joe Biden’s signature. The bald eagle has been a symbol… -
Scientists discover plastic-eating insect with potential to combat pollution
Researchers in Kenya have identified a species of insect that could play a role in reducing global plastic pollution. The Kenyan lesser mealworm, the larval stage of the Alphitobius darkling beetle, has demonstrated the ability to consume and break down polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam. Polystyrene is notoriously difficult to recycle due to its durability… -
Copper designation may benefit clean energy, raises environmental concerns
Arizona lawmakers are advocating for copper to be added to the federal critical minerals list. They say the metal plays a vital role in renewable energy infrastructure and has the potential for financial benefits if designated. Copper is essential for building solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable energy technologies. Experts forecast global demand for…