As a Senior Android Engineer, you will work alongside a small team of engineers, creatives, and project managers to build mobile apps that connect fans and collectors to the exciting world of Funko.This is a contract position.Your Superpowers in ActionDevelop Android apps using the latest frameworks, libraries, and technologies to deliver exceptional user experiences.Implement advanced animations and transitions with a focus on performance and usability.Build resilient non-UI components, including networking, caching, and long-running task functions, classes, and libraries.Participate in our established code review process to ensure code quality and consistency.Must-Have Superhero GadgetryExpertise in Android development using Kotlin and/or Java.Strong architectural skills, designing scalable apps with reusable components and patterns.Proven ability to create custom UI components and adapt layouts for various screen sizes and orientations.Deep understanding of Android threading and concurrency, including coroutines and managing complex asynchronous operations.Familiarity with reactive programming patterns and frameworks such as RxJava or LiveData/Flow.Experience integrating with external data sources (e.g., REST APIs) and managing caching effectively.Proficiency with Git and branch-based workflows such as GitHub Flow.Meticulous attention to detail, writing clean, maintainable code.Write unit tests for critical sections of the code base.Experience with the full app deployment lifecycle, including continuous integration, Play Store submission, and managing app updates.5+ years of experience as a design-focused Android software engineer.Nice to HaveExperience with 3D libraries such as Unity or OpenGL.Familiarity with AR frameworks like ARCore.Apply NowLet's start your dream job Apply now

From Google's Pixel 9 and Samsung's new Galaxy S25 to foldable phones like Motorola's Razr Plus, these are the best Android phones you can buy.

After playing demos and talking to developers, here are some of the best games Xbox has at GDC.

The best outdoor sofas are the makers of any elevated patio living space. Not only do they add a few seats to your outdoor patio furniture setup, but theyre also a reflection of your design sensibilities. If you live in a place with good weather, outdoor living may be even more important than time spent indoorsso picking out the right sectional, love seat, or daybed to pair with a cherished chaise or patio set is key when building up your collection of outdoor furniture.To prep for the warm weather ahead, we pulled together a list of the best outdoor sofas on the marketboth ones weve sprawled out on in person, as well as other design-forward picks from some of our favorite brands. Whether youre looking for a love seat to complement your favorite coffee table or want to pull up a seat to your fire pit, weve got a couch in mind for you.Our Top Picks for the Best Outdoor SofasBest Teak Outdoor Sofa: Castlery Rio Outdoor Teak Sofa, $1,999Best Low-Slung Outdoor Sofa: Article Lubek Outdoor Low Corner Sectional, $849Best Wicket Outdoor Sofa: Outer Open Weave Wicker Outdoor L Sectional, $7,100 $6,035Best Coastal Chic Outdoor Sofa: Serena & Lily Pacifica Sofa, $2,798Most Covert Outdoor Sofa: Sundays Movie Night Outdoor Modular Sectional, $5,990Browse by CategoryBest Outdoor Sofas, OverallArticle Lubek Outdoor Low Corner SectionalSpecsDimensions: 22"H x 100.5"W x 98.5"DMaterials: Solid acacia, steel, polyurethane foam, polyester fiberFabric: 100% polyesterShipping and ReturnsShipping: $249, delivery ETA ranges from 3 to 35 days (US)Return Policy: You can exchange any product in your order up to 30 days after delivery. Shipping on your first exchange for any item is free of charge.Read the full reviewArticle has long been known for their sleek, modern furniture, and the Lubek Outdoor Low Corner Sectional is no exception. Not only is this couch stylishour tester says it feels like it belongs poolside at a luxury hotelbut also durable enough to withstand a snowy Colorado winter without any noticeable wear and tear. The weather-resistant cushions wick away any surface moisture and dry quickly in the sun from more significant rain.While we tested the corner sectional, the same design is also offered in slightly smaller configurations with either a left or right chaise to best fit any space. After undertaking a huge backyard renovation, I was looking for a comfortable and stylish sofa to be the focal point of the space, contributor Meg Kernahan told us. This couch is exactly thatlarge enough to comfortably seat 6 people around an outdoor firepit and durable enough for my toddler to climb on.Castlery Rio Outdoor Teak SofaSpecsDimensions: 83.9 wide, 37.2 deep, and 30.3 highMaterials: Solid teak wood with Olefin fabric and PU foamShipping and ReturnsShipping: $249, delivery ETA ranges from 3 to 35 days (US)Return Policy: You can exchange any product in your order up to 30 days after delivery. Shipping on your first exchange for any item is free of charge.Read the full reviewThe Castlery Rio Outdoor Sofa isnt just a pretty face, its built to last. The Rio is tough enough to combat all kinds of weather conditions from snow to sweltering heat with minimal maintenance (especially if you use the separate cover!). Just ask our contributor Stewart Savin who told us the sofa has withstood pollen, snowstorms, thunderstorms, and even a hurricane.Design-wise, its clean lines and neutral color palette make it a great option for any outdoor setting. With ample seating space and foam-filled cushions, youll want to curl up on this sofa with your morning coffee or after-dinner wine all year long, Savin says. It even boasts a three-year frame and one-year fabric warranty so you can feel secure investing in your patio or deck space.Serena & Lily Pacifica SofaSpecsDimensions: 84108 wide, 34 deep, 30 tallMaterials: Water- and mildew-resistant performance fabric, all-weather foam and polyester fill, powdercoated aluminum frameShipping and ReturnsShipping: White glove delivery is available on an unlimited number of eligible items at a flat rate starting at $299, except to addresses in Alaska or Canada. Serena & Lilys delivery partner will contact you one to two weeks prior to the delivery date to schedule the appointment.Return Policy: 30-day return policy for most items, unless youve placed a custom order or purchased from an Outlet location or floor model. All custom items require a 50% non-refundable deposit, and Outlet purchases and floor models are sold without warranty and cant be returned.Read the full reviewBy now, we all know about Serena & Lily and their splurgeworthy, coastal-chic finds. For a Nancy Meyers-approved home design, their breezy-yet-elevated indoor and outdoor furniture is a mustmost notably, the Pacifica Sofa. The price point isnt the most approachable, but the solid construction and the brands separately sold protective cover can help maintain its condition for years to come.Over the past three years, its managed to hold up against the occasional rainstorm and humid summer days near the Southern California coast, tester Blake Solomon says. There are no signs of wear and tear, and it surprisingly looks as good as new after years of outdoor dinners, parties, and pool days. When it does need a good clean, though, you can unzip the cushion covers and throw them in the wash, and hose down the frame (a major perk when my toddler decides to eat peanut butter poolside).Sundays Movie Night Outdoor 4-Piece Modular SectionalSpecsDimensions: 84108 wide, 34 deep, 30 tallMaterials: Water- and mildew-resistant performance fabric, all-weather foam and polyester fill, powder-coated aluminum frameShipping and ReturnsShipping: White glove delivery is available on an unlimited number of eligible items at a flat rate starting at $299, except to addresses in Alaska or Canada. Serena & Lilys delivery partner will contact you one to two weeks prior to the delivery date to schedule the appointment.Return Policy: 30-day return policy for most items, unless youve placed a custom order or purchased from an Outlet location or floor model. All custom items require a 50% non-refundable deposit, and Outlet purchases and floor models are sold without warranty and cant be returned.Read the full reviewWeve seen (and sat on) a lot of outdoor sofas in our day and after just a month of use, can confirm that the aptly named Sundays Movie Night is one of the very best, designed for long hours of lounging. The brands West Coast sensibility and easygoing design combine perfectly in this squishy, sensibly designed sofa thats ideal for outdoor film screenings (or for marathoning episodes of The Traitors, like tester Will Porter has been doing).The couch has easily withstood the sudden onslaught of rain weve had in Los Angeles, and on sunny days, its the perfect place for basking, whether youre splayed out like a starfish or want to curl up with that beach read you didnt finish last time you hit the coast, says Porter. It matches any design style and thanks to a clever modular design, can be arranged in a number of ways to get the right fit in your space.AllModern Abra Metal Outdoor LoveseatSpecsDimensions: 84108 wide, 34 deep, 30 tallMaterials: Water- and mildew-resistant performance fabric, all-weather foam and polyester fill, powder-coated aluminum frameShipping and ReturnsShipping: White glove delivery is available on an unlimited number of eligible items at a flat rate starting at $299, except to addresses in Alaska or Canada. Serena & Lilys delivery partner will contact you one to two weeks prior to the delivery date to schedule the appointment.Return Policy: 30-day return policy for most items, unless youve placed a custom order or purchased from an Outlet location or floor model. All custom items require a 50% non-refundable deposit, and Outlet purchases and floor models are sold without warranty and cant be returned.Read the full reviewThe Wayfair Abra loveseat is a sleek addition to any outdoor space, delivering sought after Scandinavian vibes on a budget. Retailing at $1,026 (but often on sale), it comes in three frame colorsdark green, black, and dark blue. Delivery is straightforward since the loveseat arrives fully assembled, though at 73 pounds, you might want a buddy to help move it. Built from powder-coated steel, its designed to feel sturdy and supportive, but senior digital design editor Zo Sessums says not to expect the same kind of sink-in-and-lounge comfort as softer seating. It blends well with different outdoor aesthetics, especially if youre into a clean, minimalist look. Its also easy to clean and lacking sharp edges, though running into it might leave a mark. If youre after a chic, durable loveseat for socializing rather than sprawling, this ones a solid choice.Signature Design By Ashley Paradise Trail SofaSpecsDimensions: 114"W x 76"D x 32"HMaterials: Fabric - 100% solution-dyed Olefin; Cushions - Polyester fibre fill and quick-dry outdoor foam wrapped in a waterproof jacket; Frame - AluminumShipping and ReturnsShipping: Free white glove shipping on all orders in Canada and the continental US. Right now, delivery time is set at about two months.Return Policy: 30 days. In-home delivery returns are $150 and doorstep delivery returns are $75Read the full reviewAfter scouring high and low, in-person and online, tester Kristi Kellogg finally found an outdoor couch that checked all the boxes on her wishlist with this Signature Design By Ashley Paradise Trail Sofa. Big, beautiful, and built to last, this sofa has a higher back, deeper seats, and thicker cushions than anything else I could find, she says. It's as comfortable as our indoor sofa, and I could easily stretch out and take a nap on it (as could my husband, who's 6'3!). Nearly a year after purchasing it, the couple is happy to report it has also proven durable and held up very well. They loved it so much that they ended up buying the matching loveseat and swivel chairs.Other Outdoor Sofas We RecommendCastlery Malta Outdoor LoveseatYou may not be able to spend summer in the Mediterranean, but the Malta love seat from Castlery brings the same vibes to your back patio. The inviting, curved frame looks excellent poolside but will fit in with any wicker patio furniture setwhether youre getting some sun post dip or are avoiding the rain on your covered porch.Outer Charcoal Aluminum Outdoor Sofa - 3 SeatOuter is easily one of our favorite outdoor furniture brands. Its OuterWeave fabric is machine-washable, fade-resistant, and DWR-finished for water resistance. The sofas frame also features a super-weather-resistant powder-coated aluminum that stops rust and decay. Five fabric color options and a modular design make this a versatile sofa that works with other Outer furniture or with sets you may already own.Neighbor Bluff SofaNeighbors Bluff Teak sofa is peak outdoor luxury. The natural wood grain and handcrafted detail make this a beautiful addition to your patio. Its soft throw pillows and floating cushions give it the feel of an indoor couch, and SVLK-certified teak, fade-proof Sunbrella fabric, and quick-dry cushions provide all of the features you need to get the most from your outdoor furniture.Sand & Stable Jacqueline Acacia Outdoor Patio DaybedMade with durable acacia wood and held together with galvanized steel hardware, the Sand and Stable Jacqueline Daybed is ideal for patio spaces that require versatility. Whether you leave the armrests up to create a 2-seater love seat, fold them down for maximum seating, or put down one at a time to create a chaise lounge situation, this is a comfy solution for those who want to maximize their space.Pottery Barn Woodside Eucalyptus Outdoor SofaThe Woodside Eucalyptus collection from Pottery Barn is full of tiny details that really make a difference. Mortise-and-tenon joinery adds structural integrity that you dont normally get from simple hardware. The subtle design is elevated enough to stand out among its peers but casual enough for lounging on any patio. One thing to note: Seat cushions are sold separately, so make sure you add them to your cart too.AllModern Louise Wide Loveseat with CushionsAs one of Wayfairs more elevated brands, AllModern doesnt always offer up the retailers most affordable optionsbut we think the brands Louise Wide love seat is an incredible value at less than $300. The low-slung wood frame just begs to be lounged upon, while the white water-resistant cushions add a clean finish.Yardbird Colby Aluminum Large SectionalThis highly versatile patio sectional is made to play nicely with any furniture and any design. Tall-back cushions and an upright sit make this an ideal sofa for chatting with friends. The commercial-grade aluminum frame is rust proof and cushions are made with top-of-the-line Sunbrella fabric, which is easy to clean and stain-resistant.West Elm Kavala Outdoor SofaWeather-resistant and machine-washable upholstery has come a long way, so youre no longer required to be satisfied with sun-faded navy or gray cushion covers in the backyard. The deep green modern lounger is just different enough from the standard shades of most outdoor furniture, while its 60-inch length provides ample space for one person to spread out or for two to comfortably sit on. The upholstery has a rope-like texture that fits in well outdoors and the shape reminds us of our favorite bean-bag chairs.Serena & Lily Hampton Modular Armed SofaThe Hampton sofa from Serena & Lily is designed with Long Island luxury in mind. Custom made in the USA, the Hampton provides all-weather comfort with living room-worthy looks, perfect for indoor/outdoor spaces or covered patios. The modular design is easy to build upon over time and you can pick from over 40 fabric options to ensure you get exactly what you want.Design Within Reach Softlands Outdoor SofaThis list wouldn't be complete without outdoor seating from Design Within Reach. The Softlands Outdoor Sofa is a comfy two-seater made from solid teak and finished with a just-nautical-enough all-weather rope detail that transports us straight to Marthas Vineyard. Like many other retailers we've featured, DWR also uses UV-resistant Sunbrella fabric on the cushions.Anthropologie Tassa Outdoor L-Shaped SectionalThis oversized L-shaped sectional is soft and easy to sink into. Each one is made to order in one of five Sunbrella colorways and easily seats three to five people. A marine-grade, UV-resistant frame, and removable, porous cushions mean this couch is at home pool- or lakeside, though we think its hard to beat next to a fire pit under the shade of a huge shade tree.Threshold Purcell Wood Patio LoveseatThis Target find exudes style without the steep price. The Threshold Purcell love seat features water- and sun-resistant DuraSeason fabric cushions and a mid-century-inspired wood frame. The white cushions are thick and plush, something we dont usually see on more affordable patio furniture options.

Actors Kate Mara and Jamie Bell have listed their Los Angeles abode for just a hair under $5 million. The House of Cards star and her All of Us Strangers actor husband are parting ways with their cozy pad in Los Feliz, a hillside neighborhood that has served as their home base over the years. The two-story colonial was originally built in 1922 and spans 4,359 square feet. The pad offers four bedrooms and four bathrooms, with all of the bedrooms and three of the bathrooms situated upstairs.Quaint brick pavers lead up to the entryway, where a bright red door greets guests. Designer Jillian Kliewer was tapped to bring the homes interiors to life. The kitchen is equipped with a butlers pantry and premium appliances. Other highlights of the premises include a sun-drenched deck overlooking the homes sprawling backyard, a spacious media room, and a bevy of cozy nooks for lounging. The property boasts a pool and a guesthouse.The homes upper level.Photo: Jo David for Sothebys International RealtyJoin NowFlash Sale: Become an AD PRO member today and unlock your design potential.ArrowThe homes backyard and swimming pool.Photo: Jo David for Sothebys International Realty

Democratic Senators Team Up With MAGA To Hand Trump A Censorship Machinefrom the not-meant-for-this-moment deptFri, Mar 21st 2025 03:32pm - Mike MasnickAt the exact moment when Donald Trump and his MAGA allies are actively dismantling democratic institutions and working to silence critics, a group of Democratic Senators have decided to collaborate with Trumps supporters to make it easier to censor speech online.As reported in The Information (paywalled), several Democratic Senators are teaming up with some of Trumps strongest Senate allies to repeal Section 230 the law that both enables content moderation and protects websites from being sued into oblivion for hosting user speech.They appear to be doing this out of a deep misunderstanding of how the law works combined with an astounding naivet about how this process will be used by the MAGA faithful.As early as next week, Sen. Dick Durbin, a Democrat, and Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican, plan to introduce a bill that would set an expiration date of Jan. 1, 2027, for Section 230, according to a congressional aide familiar with the bills development. The senators have wide-ranging support from their respective parties: Republicans Josh Hawley and Marsha Blackburn and Democrats Sheldon Whitehouse and Amy Klobuchar have agreed to co-sponsor the bill. And two more Democrats, Richard Blumenthal and Peter Welch, have discussed joining as co-sponsors.If all goes according to plan, Durbin and Grahams proposal would be the first bipartisan bill introduced in Congress that could repeal whats often lauded as the 26 words that created the internet.To understand just how dangerous this move is, consider a law that Senator Amy Klobuchar one of the supporters of this new bill pushed just a few years ago. In 2021, she introduced legislation to amend Section 230 in a way that would allow the Health & Human Services Secretary to designate certain online content as health misinformation, requiring websites to remove it.Consider what that would mean in practice: Todays Health & Human Services Secretary is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a man who believes the solution to measles is to have more children die of measles. Under Klobuchars proposal, he would literally have the power to declare pro-vaccine information as misinformation and force it off the internet. We warned Klobuchar about this, but apparently the lesson didnt stick.And that was just one narrow carve-out to Section 230. Now these Senators want to remove all protections entirely.Last year, Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Frank Pallone introduced a similar bill in the House. Like that one, this new plan is essentially legislative extortion: put a sunset date on Section 230 to magically force big tech to come to the table to negotiate something better.Or, as law professor Eric Goldmans meme made clear last year, its taking the internet hostage:The fundamental problem here is that these Senators dont understand what Section 230 actually does or how its repeal would make their stated goals harder to achieve. Take the lead Democrat on this bill, Senator Dick Durbin, who has long demonstrated his confusion about the law. Just this week, in an interview with Capitol Fax (an Illinois political newsletter whose design is even more outdated than Techdirts!) Durbin doubled down on his misunderstanding, revealing exactly how his confusion could lead to disaster:Isabel Miller: A first amendment lawyer said your plan to sunset Section 230 would stifle free speech. A reporter said that it would destroy the open internet. And my boss said that if 230 was repealed, it would put his website out of business. Why do you want to do this?Sen. Durbin: Because of the sexual exploitation on the internet.Isabel: Arent there rules in place to stop that already?Sen. Durbin: Section 230 says the following: If your teenage daughter is exploited with images which I cant even describe here, on the internet, and she discovers it to her horror and goes to that internet, social media source and said, take them down, there is no legal obligation for them to do so. Why? Because Section 230 says they cant be held liable for continuing to broadcast this filth at the expense of this poor girl and her family. Thats why 230 has to be revisited. 20 years ago, it might have made sense. It doesnt make sense now. There is no reason why the people on the internet should get away with this, and what we say is, if they want to do that, then theyre subject to being sued. I think that will slow down the trafficking in this terrible sexploitation.Durbins response perfectly encapsulates how dangerous this misunderstanding is. He claims Section 230 prevents websites from being held accountable for exploitation, when in reality:Every major platform already has robust policies for removing non-consensual intimate imagery, supported by industry-wide programs like NCMECs Take It Down system and StopNCIIs hashing database.These removal systems exist because of Section 230, which explicitly protects platforms when they take down harmful content, making it reasonable for sites to make use of these efforts. Without 230s protections, platforms would face increased liability risks for any moderation attempts.Most critically, Durbin confuses the actual criminals (who can and should be prosecuted) with the tools they misuse. Its like blaming the phone company for criminal conspiracies plotted over phone lines.This isnt just academic confusion its the kind of fundamental misunderstanding that could give the Trump administration unprecedented power to control online speech.The timing here is what makes this move particularly baffling and dangerous. At the exact moment when Trump and his allies are systematically dismantling democratic institutions and attempting to silence critics, these Democratic Senators want to hand them an incredibly powerful censorship tool.Heres what repealing Section 230 would actually do: remove the law that explicitly protects websites when they resist government pressure to censor speech. Without those protections, the Trump administration would have far more leverage to force platforms to remove content they dont like whether thats criticism of Trump, exposure of corruption, or information about voting rights. It can also allow them to pressure websites to host pro-MAGA or pro-Nazi content that sites might not wish to associate with.Think thats hyperbole? Consider whats already happening with all of the various attacks on the media and even law firms that have supported Democratic causes.Repealing Section 230 entirely would simply give the administration even more power to control online speech. It would give the Trump administration incredible latitude to censor any kind of content they dislike, even if that content would nominally be protected under the First Amendment. I explained why in a thread on Bluesky, that details how the removal of Section 230 would make it way, way more expensive for any website to defend decisions to leave certain content up, even if theyd win on First Amendment grounds.With Section 230, if a website (or a user!) wants to defend its right to keep content up (or take it down), winning such a case typically costs around $100,000. Without those protections, even if youd ultimately win on First Amendment grounds, youre looking at about $2 million in legal fees. For Meta or Google, thats a rounding error. For a small news site or blog, its potentially fatal. And this includes users who simply forward an email or retweet something they saw. Section 230 protects them as well, but without it, theyre at the whims of legal threats.And thats exactly the point. When the cost of defending your editorial choices becomes existential, you dont defend them at all. You take down whatever the powerful want taken down. You host whatever they insist you host. The First Amendment might technically protect you, but that protection becomes meaningless if you cant afford to prove it in court.The dumbest part of this is that while these Senators will likely claim they are doing this to punish big tech, this would actually strengthen Meta and Googles dominance. While smaller sites shut down rather than risk bankruptcy from legal fees, Meta or Google can easily absorb those same costs. Its as if these Senators looked at the internets consolidation problem and decided the solution was more consolidation.Which brings us back to the core question: how could these Democratic Senators support a plan that would simultaneously give Donald Trump unprecedented censorship powers while also consolidating Metas control over online speech?The evidence suggests they simply dont understand what theyre doing. Each of these Senators has a documented history of fundamental confusion about Section 230 and how the internet works:Richard Blumenthal has been getting Section 230 wrong since his days as Connecticuts AG in the early 2000s.Sheldon Whitehouses chapter on free speech revealed such profound confusion about Section 230 that its hard to believe hes actually read the law.Weve already covered Durbin and Klobuchars dangerous misunderstandings.This isnt just about being wrong on tech policy anymore. These Senators are about to hand Trump and his allies exactly what they need to silence opposition and control the online conversation. Whether through ignorance or incompetence, theyre actively undermining the democratic institutions they claim to protect.The cynical read would be that theyre in league with Trump. The more likely explanation is that they simply dont care enough to have thought through the implications of what theyre doing. But at this particular moment in history, that level of cluelessness might actually be worse.If these Democratic Senators truly want to protect democracy from Trumps authoritarian impulses, they need to wake up fast. Because right now, theyre doing his censorship work for him.If not, they should get out of the way for others who actually understand both the moment and the law.

Researchers have identified BbLDH as a critical enzyme for B. burgdorferi survival, paving the way for targeted Lyme disease treatments. New inhibitors could halt the bacteria without affecting other organisms, making this a major step forward.A team of scientists has zeroed in on an enzyme that could revolutionize Lyme disease treatment.By uncovering the crucial role of BbLDH in bacterial survival and infectivity, theyve opened the door to highly targeted therapeutics. Their findings even hint at broader applications for fighting other tick-borne diseases.A Promising New Target for Lyme Disease TreatmentScientists have identified an enzyme that could be a promising target for developing new treatments for Lyme disease, and potentially other tick-borne illnesses. Their findings, published today (March 20) in mBio, a journal of the American Society for Microbiology, could open the door to more effective therapies.Lyme disease is the most common tick-borne infection in the United States and Europe. It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which has evolved unique metabolic pathways to survive in its environment. Some of these pathways make ideal targets for drug development.A Surprising Metabolic PathwayPrevious research from Virginia Commonwealth University revealed that B. burgdorferi does not rely on thiamin, an essential cofactor for most organisms. Instead, it depends on the enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (BbLDH) to convert pyruvate to lactate, a process crucial for maintaining its NADH/NAD+ balance. This metabolic adaptation has not been observed in any other microorganism and plays a vital role in the bacteriums survival.In this new study, researchers explored the function of BbLDH in B. burgdorferi and its potential as a therapeutic target. Using genetic, biochemical, and structural analysis, including X-ray crystallography, they identified BbLDHs essential role in the bacteriums growth and ability to infect a host. Loss-of-function studies confirmed that BbLDH is necessary for the bacterium to thrive both in lab cultures and in living organisms. Additionally, the team performed high-throughput screening and discovered several promising LDH inhibitors that could serve as the basis for future treatments.A Breakthrough in Lyme Disease TherapeuticsWe discovered that BbLDH has a unique biochemical and structural feature and it is essential for B. burgdorferi growth and infectivity, said corresponding study author Chunhao (Chris) Li, M.S., M.D., Edward Myers Endowed Professor, the Philips Research Institute for Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Virginia Commonwealth University. BbLDH can serve as an ideal target for developing genus-specific inhibitors that can be potentially used to treat and prevent Lyme disease.The impact of Lyme disease on public health fuels an emerging demand for novel therapeutics to treat Lyme disease. This report also sheds new light into understanding the role of LDH in the pathophysiology of other tick-borne pathogens, Li said.Reference: 20 March 2025, mBio.DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03728-24

A human rights campaigner, Tanya OCarroll, has succeeded in forcing social media giant Meta not to use her data for targeted advertising. The agreement is contained in a settlement to an individual challenge she lodged against Metas tracking and profiling back in 2022. OCarroll had argued that a legal right to object to the use of personal data for direct marketing thats contained in U.K. (and E.U.) data protection law, along with an unqualified right that personal data shall no longer be processed for such a purpose if the user objects, meant Meta must respect her objection and stop tracking and profiling her to serve its microtargeted ads. Meta refuted this claiming its personalized ads are not direct marketing. The case had been due to be heard in the English High Court on Monday, but the settlement ends the legal action.For OCarroll its an individual win: Meta must stop using her data for ad targeting when she uses its services. She also thinks the settlement sets a precedent that should allow others to confidently exercise the same right to object to direct marketing in order to force the tech giant to respect their privacy.Speaking to TechCrunch about the outcome, OCarroll explained she essentially had little choice to agree to the settlement once Meta agreed to what her legal action had been asking for (i.e. not to process her data for targeted ads). Had she proceeded and the litigation failed, she could have faced substantial costs, she told us.Its a bittersweet victory, she said. In lots of ways Ive achieved what I set out to achieve which is to prove that the right to object exists, to prove that it applies exactly to a business model of Meta and many other companies on the internet that targeted advertising is, in fact, direct marketing.And I think Ive shown that thats the case. But, of course, its not determined in law. Mesa has not had to accept liability so they can still say they just settled with an individual in this case.While the E.U. has long had comprehensive legal protections in place for peoples information, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) the law OCarrolls legal challenge had hinged on which the U.K.s domestic data protection framework is still based on, enforcing these privacy laws against surveillance-based ad business models such as the one Meta operates has proven to be a painstaking and frustrating endeavor. Years of regulatory whack-a-mole have played out in relation to multiple GDPR complaints about the company since the regime came into force in May 2018. And while Meta has racked up quite a number of GDPR fines including some of the largest ever privacy fines for tech its core consentless surveillance business model has proven harder to shift. Although there are signs that enforcement action is finally chipping away at this position in Europe. And OCarrolls example underscores that privacy push-back is possible. The thing that gives me hope is that the ICO [U.K.s Information Commissioners Office] did intervene on the case and did very plainly and incredibly convincing and persuasively side with me, OCarroll added, suggesting that other Meta users who also take steps to object to its processing of their data may have a stronger chance of the ICO stepping in to support them if Meta denies their requests now. That said, she thinks the company will now likely shift to a pay or consent model in the U.K. which is the legal basis it moved to in the EU last year. That requires users to either consent to tracking and profiling or pay Meta to access ad-free versions of its services.OCarroll said she is unable to disclose full details of the tracking-free access Meta will be providing in her case but she confirmed that she will not have to pay Meta.

The UKs National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), working alongside the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), has enlisted the support of tech giant IBM for their joint goals of improving diversity in Britains rapidly expanding cyber security industry.The partnership will see IBM provide the online platform used to run the NCSCs flagship cyber skills programme for girls CyberFirst Girls an annual countrywide programme open to girls aged 12 to 13, which supports them in developing computing and security skills, and encourages them to explore future careers in the UKs 13bn cyber sector.Although diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the business world are coming under attack from many quarters, improving representation in the security trade remains a key priority at Westminster with women representing just 17% of the sector workforce, and significant pay and skills gaps remaining.Meanwhile, the widening cyber threat environment continues to impact UK organisations, making it even more critical that the next generation of security leaders is brought to light.If were going to keep the UK safe from the threats we face online, then we need to build a diverse workforce which is reflective of every community in the country, said cyber security minister Feryal Clark.By partnering with IBM to deliver the next edition of the CyberFirst Girls Competition, were driving forward our plans to do exactly that building up the skills of young girls across the country and nurturing the next generation of UK cyber leaders.The girls who will benefit from this support could even go on to represent the UK Cyber Team the cream of the crop of British cyber talent who will fly the flag for us across the world.Read more about diversity in securityImproving diversity in UK tech and science scaleups is not only a strategic imperative but is vital to drive future growth, writes TechUKs Mia Haffaty.Computer Weekly caught up with SecureWorks' Rebecca Taylor to talk mentoring, cyber career development and diversity.Nationwide Building Society wants to help bring more diversity into UK cyber security skills base through partnership with training specialist Capslock.Mark Hughes, IBM global managing partner for cyber security, added: IBM is delighted to build upon our partnership with the National Cyber Security Centre by supporting the CyberFirst Girls competition with DSIT. Our commitment to fostering diversity in cyber security remains unwavering, as highlighted in our Diversity & Inclusion in Cybersecurity initiative.This new collaboration is a significant step towards nurturing the next generation of cyber leaders, ensuring a more inclusive and robust industry, he said. We are confident that this partnership will make a substantial impact in encouraging more young girls to pursue rewarding careers in cyber security.Over 85,000 students have participated in the CyberFirst Girls competition since it launched in 2017. The contest format pits students against a series of cyber and cyber-adjacent challenges, looking at areas such as cryptography, network architecture, and, more recently, artificial intelligence (AI).Over the past decade, the CyberFirst Girls Competition has offered tens of thousands of young women a fun opportunity to test their cyber skills against real-world cyber problems, said NCSC deputy director for cyber growth, Chris Ensor.Im delighted that a new partnership across government and the private sector will be taking forward the delivery of this vital initiative which is inspiring the next generation of cyber security professionals.We need a cyber industry which reflects our diverse society and encourages the most talented individuals to keep our digital lives secure, he said.Meanwhile, some of the previous beneficiaries of the NCSCs schools outreach activities are this weekend heading to Dublin to put their skills to the test against some of the best young cyber practitioners in Europe, in a series of e-sports-style cyber games.Formed last year, the UK Cyber Team is run jointly by DSIT and the SANS Institute, and comprises 30 18- to 25-year-olds from across the country who qualified after making it through a series of preliminary rounds testing their technical expertise and problem-solving abilities in areas such as cryptography, digital forensics, network security and web exploitation.Drawn from across the country, the current UK Cyber Team is 37% female and 3% non-binary.

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