Nature, Published online: 16 April 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08843-0A haplotype-resolved pan-genome of autotetraploid European potato founder lines shows high nucleotide diversity at remarkably low haplotype diversity, which is probably the result of hybridization events with wild potato species, followed by population bottlenecks during domestication and transition to Europe.

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Today’s education system is one of the areas that introduce learners to innovation from a tender age. The simplest definition of information technology in education is, “Combined use of various computer software, hardware, theories, and equipment to facilitate effective learning.”The importance of information technology in education:Information technology has transformed the education system by enhancing easy access to learning resources. Information technology is a reliable system that supports students and instructors in multiple ways. Learning institutions use it to attaining a wide range of objectives in different settings. Check out some useful techniques used to merge technology in classrooms:1. Online learningOnline learning is one of the cheapest and most convenient way used by students who wish to further there studies, thanks to information technology. Virtual classrooms, video, augmented reality (AR), robots, and other technology tools can not only make class more lively, they can also create more inclusive learning environments.2. Education managementLearning institutions can use software like Listserv to track learners’ progress. The technology allows teachers and parents to interact by sending and receiving important updates about upcoming school activities like academic days and discussing their students’ wellfare.“Information technology enhances creativity among students”.The benefit of information technology in education:Integrating information technology in education improves students’ knowledge and skills, enabled them to gain the relevant expertise needed in the dynamic world. Technology exposes individuals to recent developments, thus sparking their interests in different sectors that required innovativeness and creativity.“Information technology promotes diversity in education”Technology supports various learning tools including listening systems, reading guides, graphic organizers, and other assistive learning resources for students with different needs. As a result, it enhances multiplicity by allowing individuals to attend classes and gain knowledge regardless of their socioeconomic status and disabilities.Information technology makes learning interesting:One of the primary thing of incorporating information technology in education is to make learning more exciting and engaging.Information technology enhances interaction among students in the classroom:Integrating information technology in education promotes active learning and interaction among students. Technological tools like voice recorders, web design editors, spreadsheet, word processor, and graphics editing programs spark learners’ interest and promote a positive attitude toward learning. Furthermore, they promote active participation, even among introverts. For instance, online discussion forums allow students to share their opinions without fear of being criticised.Learning institutions are adapting modern information technology to facilitate the delivery of education to all students. Introducing technology to the classroom encourages originality and critical thinking, as students can express themselves in new and unique ways, and explore different ways of learning. This sets them up to be self-sufficient and engaged adults.

One of the biggest surprises following Bungie’s reveal of Marathon is that it won’t be a free-to-play title. Though it’s not full-priced either, the developer won’t reveal more details until later this Summer. However, sources speaking to Paul Tassi of Forbes have alleged it’s $40. The price point isn’t surprising since it’s the same as Helldivers 2 and Concord. Tassi also noted that Marathon isn’t currently planned to go free-to-play. However, those who want to try it out before launch will likely get their chance in August with an alleged open beta. After the beta, players can reportedly pre-order the title and its “various editions.” Is it possible the price will be revealed with the open beta announcement? We’ll have to wait and see. Marathon launches on September 23rd, with its closed alpha starting on April 23rd. Bungie recently lifted the latter’s non-disclosure agreement to allegedly “shift the narrative” and encourage an open dialogue with its community. Check out the intro cinematic here, and stay tuned for updates.

We might be mere hours before the announcement and simultaneous release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. According to Detective Seeds (the post has now been removed at someone's request), the game could launch tomorrow at 12 PM Eastern Time. Meanwhile, the excited community found traces on the Bing search engine of a dedicated game page on the website of Virtuos, the studio behind the remaster.  Whether it's really coming out tomorrow or not, multiple insiders concur that Oblivion Remastered should shadow drop sometime in the coming week. Let's recap its history of leaks and rumors, then. In September 2023, an internal document shared as part of the FTC vs. Microsoft trial revealed that Bethesda planned to make an official Oblivion remaster (as well as a Fallout 3 remaster, which, however, is further away from release, according to the latest rumors). After well over a year of no further info, a new report in January 2025 (based on the resume of a former Virtuos employee) not only discovered that Oblivion Remastered was indeed coming, but also revealed a lot of its features. It would be powered by Epic's Unreal Engine 5 and it would feature improvements in six key areas: HUD (Heads-Up Display), Stamina, Sneak, Blocking, Archery, and Hit Reactions. Earlier this week, the first screenshots were found online on a Virtuos webpage, previewing the massive graphics improvements that players will be able to witness. Now that the remaster is nearly official, we got a comment from Rebelzize, Project Leader of the total conversion mod Skyblivion, also scheduled to launch in 2025 after nearly a decade of work in the team's spare time. Rebelzize maintained a positive outlook, focusing on the experience gained and on the project's uniqueness instead: Luckily, this thing was all about passion from the start, and it still is. I've gotten more out of this than I ever imagined: friends, experience, and it made me realize I wanted to work in the gaming industry, which I ended up doing, and at the end of the day, it only exists because Bethesda allowed it, so I guess if the official remake is real, it's good that we were still allowed to exist at all. Gonna focus on the release of our own version and stay positive. Are you eager to step back into Cyrodiil once again? If so, do you plan to play the official remaster or the fan-made one? Let us know below! Are you more excited for...

Strands returns with another deceptively difficult word search that's anything but straightforward. That one vague clue and the requirement to use every letter exactly once can turn this seemingly simple puzzle into a real headache, even if you know the rules of Strands well.

Q: I’m traveling soon and plan to bring all the devices I usually use, including my smartphone, tablet and laptop. What should I buy to keep everything charged? A: If you’re traveling domestically, one large and one small power bank plus a foldable charging station (in addition to your usual cables and wall adapters) should keep your devices reliably powered. If you’re heading to another country, you should also include an outlet adapter. And if you’re flying, there are a few TSA rules you should know about that apply to electronics and external batteries. How to pick a power bank for travel Over the past few years, I’ve tested dozens of portable batteries for Engadget’s guide to the best power banks and I’ve brought a bunch with me on planes, trains and interminable automobile rides. My go-to battery right now is Anker’s Laptop Power Bank, which I only rarely use for charging my laptop — it's far more versatile than the uncreative name may suggest. I also have a couple of smaller banks to grab when I don’t need quite so much charge. The three important features to look for when picking a portable charger to take on your travels are its capacity, weight and connections. Capacity Most portable chargers list their capacity in milliamp hours (mAh). Anything less than 5,000mAh is pretty useless — it won’t even get a smartphone up to fifty percent. I recommend looking for a power bank with 10,000mAh or higher capacity. One thing to note is that there’s not a one-to-one correlation on capacity: a 10,000mAh power bank will not refill your smartphone’s 5,000mAh battery twice. Voltage conversions, heat loss and the operation of the battery all cut down on the amount of charge delivered. Weight This is directly related to capacity. Just about every 20,000mAh battery will be heavier than a 10,000mAh battery. If you’re really concerned with keeping down the pounds and ounces in your luggage, you might want to pick the smallest capacity you think you’ll need. That said, the largest TSA-compliant batteries are 27,000mAh models, which weigh between two and 2.5 pounds. That may or may not make a huge difference in your packing scheme. Connections The last thing to look for is the right connections. Every power bank I’ve tested has at least one USB-C port. Since you can get a USB-C cable with just about any connector at the other end, that should cover what you need. But if, for example, you have an older smartwatch charger with a USB Type-A connector, you’ll want to make sure your power bank has that slot. You’ll also want to remember to pack the right cables for each device. I’m seeing more banks with built-in cables, which is convenient, but you’ll probably still want to bring a couple extra cords just in case. How to fly with charging accessories Current TSA and FAA rules say that all spare batteries, including power banks, can only go in your carry-on luggage, not your checked bags. They must be rated at 100 watt-hours or lower, which in most batteries translates to roughly a 27,000mAh capacity. That capacity range covers most portable power chargers out there, since most manufacturers want their banks to fit within travel recommendations (larger batteries are often marketed as portable power stations). There’s no limit on the number of batteries you can carry, but they should be for your personal use and must be protected from damage. Items like fast chargers, wall adapters, cables and regular alkaline batteries (ie. AA and AAA cells) can fly in either your checked or carry-on luggage. Of course, as with all TSA regulations, the final determination of what you can and can’t bring with you lies with the agents themselves, but this advice follows the agency’s current guidelines. If you’re flying internationally, you’ll want to check the baggage policies of the airline and airport you’ll use for your return flight. A quick check of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) policies and the five highest-trafficked non-US airports (Delhi, Haneda, Istanbul, Heathrow and Dubai) shows that similar rules apply: spare batteries must go in carry-on bags and can’t be checked. A few policies put the upper capacity limit for external batteries at 100Wh, but the ICAO actually allows banks up to 160Wh. Have a tech question you’d like Engadget to answer? As tech reporters, the Engadget staff is always answering questions from friends and family about electronics, software, gaming, big tech policies and more. So we decided to write down our answers. This question is a composite of ones we’ve been asked recently. If you’ve got a tech-related question you’d like us to answer for you, please email ask@engadget.com.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/ask-engadget-how-do-i-keep-my-electronics-from-dying-when-i-travel-110022879.html?src=rss

Looking Glass 27 brings immersive, shared 3D visuals to life, making it ideal for MacBook Pro and iPad-based workflows.

Around the U.S., about 90,000 tons of nuclear waste is stored at more than 100 sites in 39 states, in a range of different structures and containers. For decades, the nation has been trying to send it all to one secure location. A 1987 federal law named Yucca Mountain, in Nevada, as a permanent disposal site for nuclear waste—but political and legal challenges led to construction delays. Work on the site had barely started before Congress ended the project’s funding altogether in 2011. The 94 nuclear reactors currently operating at 54 power plants continue to generate more radioactive waste. Public and commercial interest in nuclear power is rising because of concerns regarding emissions from fossil fuel power plants and the possibility of new applications for smaller-scale nuclear plants to power data centers and manufacturing. This renewed interest gives new urgency to the effort to find a place to put the waste. In March 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments related to the effort to find a temporary storage location for the nation’s nuclear waste; a ruling is expected by late June. No matter the outcome, the decades-long struggle to find a permanent place to dispose of nuclear waste will probably continue for many years to come. I am a scholar who specializes in corrosion; one focus of my work has been containing nuclear waste during temporary storage and permanent disposal. There are generally two forms of significantly radioactive waste in the U.S.: waste from making nuclear weapons during the Cold War, and waste from generating electricity at nuclear power plants. There are also small amounts of other radioactive waste, such as that associated with medical treatments. Waste from weapons manufacturing Remnants of the chemical processing of radioactive material needed to manufacture nuclear weapons, often called “defense waste,” will eventually be melted along with glass, with the resulting material poured into stainless steel containers. These canisters are 10 feet tall and 2 feet in diameter, weighing approximately 5,000 pounds when filled. For now, though, most of it is stored in underground steel tanks, primarily at Hanford, Washington, and Savannah River, South Carolina, key sites in U.S. nuclear weapons development. At Savannah River, some of the waste has already been processed with glass, but much of it remains untreated. At both of those locations, some of the radioactive waste has already leaked into the soil beneath the tanks, though officials have said there is no danger to human health. Most of the current efforts to contain the waste focus on protecting the tanks from corrosion and cracking to prevent further leakage. Waste from electricity generation The vast majority of nuclear waste in the U.S. is spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear power plants. Before it is used, nuclear fuel exists as uranium oxide pellets that are sealed within zirconium tubes, which are themselves bundled together. These bundles of fuel rods are about 12 to 16 feet long and about 5 to 8 inches in diameter. In a nuclear reactor, the fission reactions fueled by the uranium in those rods emit heat that is used to create hot water or steam to drive turbines and generate electricity. After about three to five years, the fission reactions in a given bundle of fuel slow down significantly, even though the material remains highly radioactive. The spent fuel bundles are removed from the reactor and moved elsewhere on the power plant’s property, where they are placed into a massive pool of water to cool them down. After about five years, the fuel bundles are removed, dried, and sealed in welded stainless steel canisters. These canisters are still radioactive and thermally hot, so they are stored outdoors in concrete vaults that sit on concrete pads, also on the power plant’s property. These vaults have vents to ensure air flows past the canisters to continue cooling them. As of December 2024, there were more than 315,000 bundles of spent nuclear fuel rods in the U.S., and 3,800-plus dry storage casks in concrete vaults above ground, located at current and former power plants across the country. Even reactors that have been decommissioned and demolished still have concrete vaults storing radioactive waste, which must be secured and maintained by the power company that owned the nuclear plant. The threat of water One threat to these storage methods is corrosion. Because they need water to both transfer nuclear energy into electricity and to cool the reactor, nuclear power plants are always located alongside sources of water. In the U.S., nine are within 2 miles of the ocean, which poses a particular threat to the waste containers. As waves break on the coastline, saltwater is sprayed into the air as particles. When those salt and water particles settle on metal surfaces, they can cause corrosion, which is why it’s common to see heavily corroded structures near the ocean. At nuclear waste storage locations near the ocean, that salt spray can settle on the steel canisters. Generally, stainless steel is resistant to corrosion, which you can see in the shiny pots and pans in many Americans’ kitchens. But in certain circumstances, localized pits and cracks can form on stainless steel surfaces. In recent years, the U.S. Department of Energy has funded research, including my own, into the potential dangers of this type of corrosion. The general findings are that stainless steel canisters could pit or crack when stored near a seashore. But a radioactive leak would require not only corrosion of the container but also of the zirconium rods and of the fuel inside them. So it is unlikely that this type of corrosion would result in the release of radioactivity. A long way off A more permanent solution is likely years, or decades, away. Not only must a long-term site be geologically suitable to store nuclear waste for thousands of years, but it must also be politically palatable to the American people. In addition, there will be many challenges associated with transporting the waste, in its containers, by road or rail, from reactors across the country to wherever that permanent site ultimately is. Perhaps there will be a temporary site whose location passes muster with the Supreme Court. But in the meantime, the waste will stay where it is. Gerald Frankel is a distinguished professor of materials science and engineering at the Ohio State University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Nothing seems determined to keep us on our toes this year, don’t they? It feels like just yesterday we were dissecting the launch of the Phone (3a) series back in March, their strategic play to capture a wider audience with a more budget-friendly offering. It was a smart move, bringing that signature transparent design and Glyph interface magic to a price point many more could stomach, broadening their battlefield significantly. And the momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing. Rumours are swirling thick and fast about their CMF sub-brand dropping its second phone, on the 28th of this month. Talk about expanding the portfolio! But amidst this flurry of activity targeting different market segments, the inevitable whispers about the main event have begun. Fresh speculation points towards the arrival of the flagship Nothing Phone (3) as early as July. Designer: Konstantin Milenin This July timing aligns neatly with their previous major phone releases, lending credence to the speculation. While official confirmation is naturally absent – Nothing plays its cards close to its chest – the consistency makes the rumour feel plausible. What can we expect from the Phone (3)? Details are scarce, naturally. However, looking at the progression from Phone (1) to (2), iterative refinement seems likely. A processor bump feels inevitable, perhaps moving to something like the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 to set it apart from last month’s Phone (3a) series. Camera improvements are always on the wishlist, and given the (3a) Pro’s impeccable 3-lens shooter, it’s safe to say the Phone (3) will aim higher. There’s definitely going to also be a big focus on AI features, which Nothing debuted with the (3a) in the form of a dedicated AI button that leads to their homegrown Essential Space app (which rumors suggest will eventually turn into a paid feature.) This particular Phone (3) concept shown above comes from the mind of Konstantin Milenin, with a few details that really grab the eye. Even though the Glyph Interface has been the Nothing Phone’s crown jewel, it’s always been guided by the shape of the charging coils on the back. Change this shape, and you retain the essence of the Nothing Phone, but introduce an absolutely new flavor to it. Milenin’s concept does just that, opting for a unique closed U-shaped charging coil that allows the glyph interface to take on a different form factor. Meanwhile, the camera layout stays roughly the same, albeit with the inclusion of the periscope lens from the (3a) series. The glyphs around the other two lenses is slightly different too, with a curved/arc shape that breaks visual monotony. Of course, the Glyph Interface will be central. Will we see further evolution here? More granular control, perhaps? New integrations? Nothing’s design language is its strongest asset, and iterating thoughtfully on the Glyph system is crucial to maintaining that edge. They need to balance novelty with genuine utility, ensuring the lights remain more than just a party trick. The market context is also interesting. Nothing operates in a fiercely competitive space, straddling the line between mid-range value and premium aesthetics. With the CMF sub-brand now catering to the budget-conscious segment, the main Nothing line can potentially lean further into its premium aspirations, refining its hardware and software experience without compromising its core identity. Anticipation will undoubtedly build. Nothing has mastered the art of the hype cycle, leveraging community engagement and carefully curated leaks to maintain buzz. Whether the Phone (3) represents a revolutionary leap or a subtle evolution, its arrival will be significant. It marks another chapter for a young company still defining its long-term place in the tech landscape. Ultimately, a potential July launch keeps Nothing firmly in the conversation. It signals their continued ambition and commitment to the smartphone arena. We’ll be watching closely, eager to see if the Phone (3) can once again capture that unique blend of design intrigue and accessible innovation that defined its predecessors. The wait, as always, begins. The post Major Nothing Phone (3) Leak Hints At A July Launch Date first appeared on Yanko Design.