Focused search for science

1+ min ago (321+ words) Microsoft's latest Canary Channel build for Windows 11 Insiders brings forward a number of features that were already in testing in the Dev and Beta Channels. Enjoy our content? Make sure to set Windows Central as a preferred source in Google Search and find out why you should so that you can stay up to date on the latest news, reviews, features, and more. Microsoft has released a new Windows 11 preview build for Insiders in the Canary Channel that introduces a number of new features that were previously in testing on the Insider Dev and Beta Channels. While still not totally caught up feature wise, the Canary Channel now has most preview features that are in testing. Other features like the new file share drag tray, the ability to use Windows Studio Effects on external webcams, better mobile device settings in…...

3+ min ago (262+ words) Okay, look. I know WebP is technically superior. Smaller file sizes, better compression, Google loves it. Great for the web performance. But for me? It's a nightmare. I got tired of googling "online webp to png converter," uploading my files to random shady servers, and hoping for the best. So, I decided to fix it myself. I built a tiny Chrome extension called Simple Image Converter. It does exactly one thing: adds a "Save Image as PNG" button to your right-click menu. No "cloud processing." It just grabs the image, converts it locally, and hands you a PNG. (Update: I also added a "Copy Image as PNG" option to the clipboard, because saving files is sometimes too much effort for a quick Discord paste.) Since we can't use background pages with DOM access anymore, I couldn't just throw the image…...

4+ min ago (431+ words) Google is shutting down its dark web report tool Google has announced it is shutting down one of its lesser known security features - the Google dark web report. The tool allowed users to monitor the dark web for mentions of their Google account email address, which would then alert users if discovered. The tool only launched in July 2024, but user feedback was mixed - Google says the tool is being shut down as it "didn't provide helpful next steps." When a company is hit by a data breach or a ransomware attack, the attackers will sometimes sell or leak stolen data on the dark web for others to use for their own malicious purposes. In many cases, Google's email notifying users of the shutdown of the dark web report tool will be the first time users have heard of it. After…...

4+ min ago (818+ words) In a groundbreaking study that pushes the boundaries of artificial intelligence application in medicine, researchers have developed a novel diagnostic framework by integrating host biomarker data with large language models (LLMs) for improved identification of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). This innovation holds tremendous promise in addressing the diagnostic challenges posed by respiratory infections, which [] In a groundbreaking study that pushes the boundaries of artificial intelligence application in medicine, researchers have developed a novel diagnostic framework by integrating host biomarker data with large language models (LLMs) for improved identification of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs). This innovation holds tremendous promise in addressing the diagnostic challenges posed by respiratory infections, which remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Lower respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia, bronchitis, and bronchiolitis, have long posed diagnostic hurdles owing to their diverse etiologies and overlapping…...

6+ min ago (663+ words) Variations in the amount of interstellar dust, specifically the ratio of total to selective extinction, significantly impact the accuracy of distance measurements using a common technique called the Wesenheit function, potentially introducing errors of up to 40% for certain measurements within our galaxy. https://quantumzeitgeist.com/wp-content/uploads/Capture-680.jpg The accuracy of cosmic distance measurements relies on carefully accounting for the dimming and reddening effects of interstellar dust, and a team led by D. M. Skowron, M. L. Fouesneau, and R. Drimmel investigates how variations in dust properties impact these calculations. Current methods often assume a consistent relationship between dust extinction and reddening, but this research demonstrates that this relationship, quantified by the Rv value, actually varies significantly across the Milky Way. By combining detailed models of stellar atmospheres with realistic dust extinction curves, the team reveals that changes in Rv propagate into substantial errors in distance estimates derived from the…...

7+ min ago (144+ words) As the Pacific Northwest ushers in a new work week, residents can expect a mix of showers and fleeting sunbreaks, setting the stage for a dynamic weather pattern. This article will explore the current weather conditions, upcoming snowfall in ski resorts, and the anticipated heavy rain forecasted for later in the week. Impact on Snow Levels Upcoming Heavy Rain Forecast In summary, the Pacific Northwest is set for a week of variable weather, with showers and sunbreaks leading the way, followed by significant rainfall and snowfall in the mountains. As the atmospheric river approaches, it's crucial for residents to stay informed about potential weather changes, especially if they live near waterways. As we brace for the heavy rains and cooler temperatures later this week, how do you plan to adapt your outdoor activities? Stay safe and keep an eye on…...

7+ min ago (602+ words) The challenge in studying quantum emitters is that their optical behavior is determined by their atomic structure, which is very hard to observe directly," said Jianguo Wen, an Argonne materials scientist. Studying the light emission from quantum emitters usually requires thicker samples, while analyzing their atomic structure needs thinner samples. This tradeoff has made it difficult to fully understand these tiny light sources. To solve this problem, Wen and his team used a technique called cathodoluminescence spectroscopy, along with the high-resolution QuEEN-M microscope. In cathodoluminescence, a focused beam of electrons excites the material, causing it to emit light. The color and intensity of the emitted light reveal information about what the quantum emitter is made of and its defect sites. The QuEEN-M is a specially designed electron microscope that takes advantage of modern electron optics and detectors," added Jian-Min Zuo,…...

8+ min ago (286+ words) People around the world mostly know Bermuda for one thing: the mysterious Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle. Now, however, scientists have discovered a never-before-seen 12.4-mile-thick rock layer in the waters beneath Bermuda that has them baffled. The origin of this massive stone structure hidden beneath Bermuda is not completely clear. However, its discovery may provide answers to some questions scientists have had about the tropical island for decades. There is one particular question that the discovery may finally answer. Why, more than 30 to 35 million years after Bermuda's volcanoes'stopped erupting, has the island never sunk? The rock layer below the Bermuda's oceanic crust is thicker than similar layers around the world, according to Live Science. Island chains such as Hawaii are thought to exist because of mantle hotspots, which are places in the mantle where hot material rises,…...

9+ min ago (252+ words) The dark web report launched about a year and a half ago and quickly gained attention because it promised visibility into a part of the internet most people cannot access themselves. Users could set up a monitoring profile and receive notifications if their information showed up in compromised databases. OpenAI has officially launched GPT-5.2, the latest iteration of its flagship AI model series and its answer to Google's Gemini 3. The new model is meant to be faster, smarter, and more helpful for the complex, real-world queries with improvements in reasoning and long-document processing. All you need to do is upload a selfie and pick your usual size; Nano Banana will generate a handful of avatars. Using your face, the AI model generates the rest of your body while maintaining consistent proportions. Choose the one you think suits you best, and…...

10+ min ago (169+ words) The new work week has gotten off to a frigid start, but warmer air and better rain chances are on the table for the rest of the week. DOTHAN, Ala. (WTVY) - The new work week has gotten off to a frigid start, but warmer air and better rain chances are on the table for the rest of the week. Download the WTVY News4 app to get alerts and stories the moment they are published. Available for FREE in the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store! Judge hears disturbing testimony in Daleville daycare abuse case "NCIS" actress Rachael Carpani dies at 45, her family says Judge mulls dismissal of lawsuit between Dothan school board members New southeast Alabama highway? Makes more sense than another project, Ainsworth claims Freeze Warning tonight: Protect your plants and pipes New evidence gathered in JonBen't Ramsey…...