Star Lee Jung-jae is back for the second season of the Netflix hit with new co-stars. Let the game begin.

Carbo-preloading Craving carbs? Blame an ancient gene. We, Neanderthals, and Denisovans all have extra copies of a starch-digesting enzyme. Elizabeth Rayne Dec 27, 2024 7:25 am | 0 Credit: Yana Iskayeva/Getty Credit: Yana Iskayeva/Getty Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreThere is now a genetic excuse not to bother cutting carbs. Humans have genetically adapted to eating starchy foods, and our ancestors may have been carb-ivores even before modern Homo sapiens emerged.The salivary amylase gene, known as AMY1, is already known to have helped us adapt to eating carbs. It encodes amylase, an enzyme that breaks starches found in pasta and bread down to glucoseand may have given us a taste preference for them. Humans have multiple copies of the gene, which may help us produce high levels of the enzyme.Researchers from the University of Buffalo and the Jackson Laboratory have now found that, while most copies of this gene arose with the advent of farming, modern humans and our closest relatives had accumulated extra copies long before agriculture.By mapping the genomes of individuals from both modern and pre-agricultural populations, and using long-read gene sequencing (which sequences long strands of DNA or RNA all at once), the team found several copies of AMY1 in humans as far back as 45,000 years ago and in our Neanderthal and Denisovan predecessors over 800,000 years ago.If the genes fitThe ancestral AMY1 gene, which is expressed in the parotid salivary gland, was present as a single copy and is thought to have originated in the common ancestor of great apes. We now have multiple copies of AMY1, which had been linked to the beginnings of agriculture about 10,000 years ago, which made starches more consistently available.Because there was a lack of information about when the additional copies of AMY1 appeared, the research team mapped and sequenced the genomes of 98 individuals from various ancient and modern populations to see if the number of copies increased around the same time that many hunter-gatherers transitioned to farming. Analysis of ancient and modern human genomes, along with those of our closest relatives, revealed a common haplotype, or group of alleles (different forms of a gene), inherited together from one parent. This haplotype has three copies of AMY1 and was present in samples that predated our migration out of Africa. Haplotypes with more copies of the gene also exist.This observation is concordant with the recent evidence of Neanderthal starch consumption, and perhaps the availability of cooked starch in archaic hominins made possible through the domestication of fire, the researchers said in a study recently published in Science.Out of eight genomes examined, multiple copies of AMY1 were found in two Eastern Neanderthal genomes, one from a Western Neanderthal, and one from a Denisovan. So why did these extra copies evolve? While the exact reason is still unknown, the team thinks that the gene itself was copy number variable, meaning the number of copies within a population can vary between individuals. This variation likely developed before humans diverged from Neanderthals and Denisovans.With the grainTo the research team, it was inevitable that copies of AMY1 in individual genomes would increase as former hunter-gatherers established agricultural societies. Farming meant grains and other starch-rich foods, and the ability to adjust those meant carbs.And the data here is consistent with that. The team found a general trend where the AMY1 gene copy number is significantly higher among samples excavated from archaeologically agricultural contexts compared to those from hunter-gatherer contexts, as they said in the same study.In genomes from pre-agricultural individuals, there were already anywhere from four to eight copies of the gene. The variation is thought to have come from groups experimenting with food-processing techniques such as grinding wild grains into flour. AMY1 copy numbers grew pretty consistently from the pre-agricultural to post-agricultural period. Individuals from populations that were in the process of transitioning to agriculture (around 16,100 to 8,500 years ago) were found to have about similar numbers of AMY1 copies as hunter-gatherers at the time.Individuals from after 8,500 years ago who lived in more established agricultural societies showed the most copies and therefore the most evidence of adaptation to eating diets high in carbs. Agriculture continued to advance, and the last 4,000 years have seen the most significant surge of AMY1 copy increases. Modern humans have anywhere from two to 15 copies.Further research could help with understanding how genetic variation of AMY1 copy numbers influences starch metabolism, including conditions such as gluten allergy and celiac disease, and overall metabolic health.Can we really blame AMY1 and amylase on our carb cravings? Partly. The number of AMY1 copies in a human genome determine not only the ability to metabolize starches, but will also influence how they taste to us, and may have given us a preference for them. Maybe we can finally ease up on demonizing bread.Science, 2024. DOI: 10.1126/science.adn060Elizabeth Rayne Elizabeth Rayne is a creature who writes. Her work has appeared on SYFY WIRE, Space.com, Live Science, Grunge, Den of Geek, and Forbidden Futures. She lurks right outside New York City with her parrot, Lestat. When not writing, she is either shapeshifting, drawing, or cosplaying as a character nobody has ever heard of. Follow her on Threads and Instagram @quothravenrayne. 0 Comments

Look what we found laying around Ars favorite games of 2024 that were not released in 2024 The games that found us in 2024, from 2003 space sims to 2022 backyard survival. Kevin Purdy Dec 27, 2024 7:00 am | 1 Credit: Aurich Lawson Credit: Aurich Lawson Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreMore than 18,500 games will have been released onto the PC gaming platform Steam in the year 2024, according to SteamDB. Dividing that by the number of people covering games at Ars, or the gaming press at large, or even everybody who games and writes about it online, yields a brutal ratio.Games often float down the river of time to us, filtered by friends, algorithms, or pure happenstance. They don't qualify for our best games of the year list, but they might be worth mentioning on their own. Many times, they're better games then they were at release, either by patching or just perspective. And they are almost always lower priced.Inspired by the cruel logic of calendars and year-end lists, I asked my coworkers to tell me about their favorite games of 2024 that were not from 2024. What resulted were some quirky gems, some reconsiderations, and some titles that just happened to catch us at the right time.Stardew ValleyConcernedApe; Basically every platformAfter avoiding it forever and even bouncing off of it once or twice, I finally managed to fall face-first into Stardew Valley (2016) in 2024. And I've fallen hardI only picked it up in October, but Steam says I've spent about 110 hours playing farmer.In addition to being a fun distraction and a great way to kill both short and long stretches of time, what struck me is how remarkably soothing the game has been. I'm a nervous flyer, and it's only gotten worse since the pandemic, but I've started playing Stardew on flights, and having my little farm to focus on has proven to be a powerful weapon against airborne anxietyeven when turbulence starts up. Ars sent me on three trips in the last quarter of the year, and Stardew got me through all the flights.Hell, I'm even enjoying the multiplayerand I don't generally do multiplayer. My cousin Shaun and I have been meeting up most weekends to till the fields together, and the primary activity tends to be seeing who can apply the most over-the-top creatively scatological names to the farm animals. I've even managed to lure Ur-Quan Masters designer Paul Reiche III to Pelican Town for a few weekends of hoedowns and harvests. (Perhaps unsurprisingly, Paul was already a huge fan of the game. And also of over-the-top creatively scatological farm animal names. Between him and Shaun, I'mamassing quite a list!)So here's to you, Stardew Valley. You were one of the brightest parts of my 2024, and a game that I already know I'll return to for years. Lee HutchinsonGroundedObsidian; Windows, Switch, Xbox, PlayStationMy favorite discovery this year has probably beenGrounded, a Microsoft-published, Obsidian Entertainment-developed survival crafting game that was initially released back in 2022 (2020 if you count early access) but received its final planned content updateback in April.You play as one of four plucky tweens, zapped down to a fraction-of-an-inch high as part of a nefarious science experiment. The game is heavily inspired by 1989's classicHoney, I Shrunk the Kids, both in its '80s setting and its graphical design. Explore the backyard, fight bugs, find new crafting materials, build out a base of operations, and power yourself up with special items and steadily better equipment so you can figure out what happened to you and get back to your regular size.Groundedcame up because I was looking foranother game for the four-player group I've also playedDeep Rock GalacticandRaftwith. LikeRaft,Groundedhas a main story with achievable objectives and an endpoint, plus a varied enough mix of activities that everyone will be able to find something they like doing. Some netcode hiccups notwithstanding, if you like survival crafting-style games but don't likeMinecraft-esque, objective-less, make-your-own-fun gameplay,Groundedmight scratch an itch for you. Andrew CunninghamFights in Tight SpacesGround Shatter; Windows, Switch, Xbox, PlayStationI spent a whole lot of time browsing, playing, and thinking about roguelike deckbuilders in 2024. Steam's recommendation algorithm noticed, and tossed 2021's Fights in Tight Spaces at me. I was on a languid week's vacation, with a Steam Deck packed, with just enough distance from the genre by then to maybe dip a toe back in. More than 15 hours later, Steam's "Is this relevant to you?" question is easy to answer.Back in college, I spent many weekends rounding out my Asian action film knowledge, absorbing every instance of John Woo, Jackie Chan, Jet Li, Flying Guillotine, Drunken Master, and whatever I could scavenge from friends and rental stores. I thrilled to frenetic fights staged in cramped, cluttered, or quirky spaces. When the hero ducks so that one baddie punches the other one, then backflips over a banister to two-leg kick the guy coming up from beneath? That's the stuff.Fights gives you card-based, turn-by-turn versions of those fights. You can see everything your opponents are going to do, in what order, and how much it would hurt if they hit you. Your job is to pick cards that move, hit, block, counter, slip, push, pull, and otherwise mess with these single-minded dummies, such that you dodge the pain and they either miss or take each other out. Woe be unto the guy with a pistol who thinks he's got one up on you, because he's standing right by a window, and you've got enough momentum to kick a guy right into him.This very low-spec game has a single-color visual style, beautifully smooth animations, and lots of difficulty tweaking to prevent frustration. The developer plans to release a game "in the same universe," Knights in Tight Spaces, in 2025, and that's an auto-buy for me now. Kevin PurdyThe Elder Scrolls III: MorrowindBethesda; Windows, XboxThe Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind always had a sort of mythic quality for me. It came out when I was 18 years oldthe perfect age for it, really. And more than any other game I had ever played, it inspired hope and imagination for where the medium might go.In the ensuing years, Morrowind (2002) ended up seeming like the end of the line instead of the spark that would start something new. With some occasional exceptions, modern games have emphasized predictable formulae and proven structures over the kind of experimentation, depth, and weirdness that Morrowind embraced. Even Bethesda's own games gradually became stodgier.So Morrowind lived in my memory for years, a sort of holy relic of what gaming could have been before AAA game design became quite so oppressively formalist.After playing hundreds of hours of Starfield this year, I returned to Morrowind for the first time in 20 years.To be clear: I quite liked Starfield, counter to the popular narrative about itthough I definitely understood why it wasn't for everyone. But people criticized Starfield for lacking the magic of a game like Morrowind, and I was skeptical of that criticism. As such, my return to the island of Vvardenfell was a test: did Morrowind really have a magic that Starfield lacks, even when taken out of the context of its time and my youthful imagination and open-mindnedness?I was surprised to find that the result was a strong affirmative. I still like Starfield, but its cardinal sin is that it is unimaginative because it is derivativeof No Man's Sky, of Privateer and Elite, of Mass Effect, of various 70s and 80s sci-fi films and TV series, and most of all, of Bethesda Game Studios' earlier work.In contrast, Morrowind is a fever dream of bold experimentation that seems to come more from the creativity of ambitious designers who were too young to know any better, than from the proven designs of past hits.I played well over a hundred hours of Morrowind this year, and while I did find it tedious at times, it's engrossing for anyone who's willing to put up with its archaic pacing and quirks.To be clear, many of the design experiments in the game simply don't work, with systems that are easily exploited. Its designers' naivety shines through clearly, and its rough edges serve as clear reminders of why today's strict formalism has taken root, especially in AAA games where too-big budgets and payrolls leave no room at all for risk.Regardless, it's been wild to go back and play this game from 2002 and realize that in the 22 years since there have been very few other RPGs that were nearly as brazenly creative. I love it for that, just as much as I did when I was 18. Samuel AxonTetrisweeperKertis Jones; Itch.io, coming to SteamIf you ask someone to list the most addictive puzzle games of all time, Tetris and Minesweeper will probably be at or near the top of the list. So it shouldn't be too surprising that Tetrisweeper makes an even more addictive experience by combining the two grid-based games together in a frenetic, brain-melting mess.Tetrisweeper starts just like Tetris, asking you to arrange four-block pieces dropping down a well to make lines without gaps. But in Tetrisweeper, those completed lines won't clear until you play a game of Minesweeper on top of those dropped pieces, using adjacency information and logical rules to mark which ones are safe and which ones house game-ending mines (if you want to learn more about Minesweeper, there's a book I can recommend).At first, playing Tetris with your keyboard fingers whilemanaging Minesweeper with your mouse hand can feel a little unwieldya bit like trying to drive a car and cook an omelet at the same time. After a few games, though, you'll learn how to split your attention effectively to drop pieces and solve complex mine patterns nearly simultaneously. That's when you start to master the game's intricate combo multiplier system and bonus scoring, striving for point-maximizing Tetrisweeps and T-spins (my high score is just north of 3 million, but pales in comparison to that of the best players).While Tetrisweeper grew out of a 2020 Game Jam, I didn't discover the game until this year, when it helped me clear my head during many a work break (and passed the time during a few dull Zoom calls as well). I'm hoping the game's planned Steam releasestill officially listed as "Coming Soon"will help attract even more addicts than its current itch.io availability. Kyle OrlandFreelancerDigital Anvil; WindowsWhat if I told you that Star Citizen creator Chris Roberts previously tried to make Star Citizen more than two decades ago but left the project and saw it taken over by real, non-crazy professionals who had the discipline to actually finish something?That's basically the story behind 2003's forgotten PC game Freelancer. What started as a ludicrously ambitious space life sim concept ended up as a sincere attempt to make games like Elite and Wing Commander: Privateer far more accessible.That meant a controversial, mouse-based control scheme instead of flight sticks, as well as cutting-edge graphics, celebrity voice actors, carefully designed economy and progression systems, and flashy cutscenes.I followed the drama of Freelancer's development in forums, magazines, and gaming news websites when I was younger. I bought the hype as aggressively as Star Citizen fans did years later. The game that came out wasn't what I was dreaming of, and that disappointment prevented me from finishing it.Fast-forward to 2024: on a whim, I played Freelancer from beginning to end for the first time.And honestly? It's great. In a space trading sim genre that's filled with giant piles of jank (the X series) or inaccessible titles that fly a little too far into the simulation zone for some (Elite Dangerous), Freelancer might be the most fun you can have with the genre even today.It's understandable that it didn't have much lasting cultural impact since the developers who took it over lacked the wild ambition of the man who started it, but I enjoyed a perfectly pleasant 2030 hours smuggling space goods and shooting piratesand I didn't have to spend $48,000 of real money on a ship to get that. Samuel AxonCyberpunk 2077CD Projekt Red; Windows, Xbox, PlayStation (macOS in 2025)Can one simply play, as a game, one of the biggest and most argued-over gaming narratives of all time? Four years after its calamitous launch sparked debates about AAA gaming sprawl, developer crunch, game review practicalities, and, eventually, post-release redemption arcs, what do you get when you launch Cyberpunk 2077?I got a first-person shooter, one with some interesting ideas, human-shaped characters you'd expect from the makers of The Witcher 3, and some confused and unrefined systems and ideas. I enjoyed my time with it, appreciate the work put into it, and can recommend it to anyone who is okay with something that's not quite an in-depth FPS RPG (or "immersive sim") but likes a bit of narrative thrust to their shooting and hacking.You can't fit everything about Cyberpunk 2077 into one year-end blurb (or a 1.0 release, apparently), so I'll stick to the highs and lows. I greatly enjoyed the voice performances, especially from Keanu Reeves and Idris Elba (the latter in the Phantom Liberty DLC), and those behind Jackie, Viktor Vektor, and the female version of protagonist V. I was surprised at how good the shooting felt, given the developer's first time out; the discovery of how a "Smart" shotgun worked will stick with me a while. The driving: less so. There were moments of quiet, ambient world appreciation, now that the game's engine is running okay. And the side quests have that Witcher-ish quality to them, where they're never as straightforward as described and also tell little stories about life in this place.What seems missing to me, most crucially, are the bigger pieces, the real choices and unexpected consequences, and the sense of really living in this world. You can choose one of three backgrounds, but it only comes up as an occasional dialogue option. You can build your character in myriad ways, and there are lots of dialogue options. But the main quest keeps you on a fairly strict path, with the options to talk, hack, or stealth your way past inevitable shootouts not as great as you might think. Once you've brought your character up to power-fantasy levels, the larger city becomes a playground, but not one I much enjoyed playing in. (Plus, the idea of idle wandering and amassing wealth, given the main plot contrivance, is kind of ridiculous, but this is a game, after all).Phantom Liberty, in my experience, patches up every one of these weaknesses inside its smaller play space, providing more real choices and a tighter story, with more set pieces arriving at a faster pace. If you can buy this game bundled with its DLC, by all means, do so. I didn't encounter any game-breaking bugs in my mid-2024 playthrough, nor even many crashes. Your mileage may vary, especially on consoles, as other late-coming players have seen.Waiting on this game a good bit certainly helps me grade it on a curve; nobody today is losing $60 on something that looks like it's playing over a VNC connection. When CD Projekt Red carries on in this universe, I think they'll have learned a lot from what they delivered here, much like we've all learned about pre-release expectations. It's okay to take your time getting to a gargantuan game; there are lots of games from prior years to look into. Kevin PurdyKevin PurdySenior Technology ReporterKevin PurdySenior Technology Reporter Kevin is a senior technology reporter at Ars Technica, covering open-source software, PC gaming, home automation, repairability, e-bikes, and tech history. He has previously worked at Lifehacker, Wirecutter, iFixit, and Carbon Switch. 1 Comments

John Edwards, Technology Journalist & AuthorDecember 27, 20245 Min ReadYuri Arcurs via Alamy Stock PhotoAs the threat landscape grows, investment in cybersecurity training and awareness programs is expanding rapidly. The reason is simple -- cybersecurity's weak link is people and how they behave. It's a challenge that many experts now believe can only be resolved through an enterprise-wide culture change.Prioritizing cybersecurity and building an enterprise-wide cybersecurity culture is essential, says Jennifer Sullivan, a principal in Deloitte's cyber strategy practice. In an era of rapid technological evolution, cyber threats pose significant risks to organizations' operations, reputation, and financial stability. "Cultivating a culture of continuous education and awareness empowers every employee to take ownership of cybersecurity, supporting sustainable growth and innovation," she states in an email interview. "By prioritizing cybersecurity, potential vulnerabilities can be transformed into strategic strengths, ensuring a long-term culture of resilience and trust both inside and outside the organization."Getting StartedThe first step in creating an enterprise-wide cybersecurity culture is building a comprehensive policy that establishes what's considered right and wrong. "This policy should be clear, well-documented, and easily accessible to everyone in the organization," advises Erez Tadmor, field CTO at security policy management company Tufin, in an online interview. The policy should outline network security rules, such as access controls and data communication standards, setting the foundation for expected behaviors, he explains. "When all security teams align with these guidelines, it fosters a sense of unity and responsibility that becomes ingrained in the companys culture."Related:Promote ownership in cybersecurity functions, recommends Amanda Satterwhite, Accenture Federal Services' managing director of cyber mission and enablement. This goal can be most effectively achieved by assigning security roles and responsibilities across various levels or teams within the organization, she notes via email. Rewards and recognition are also important. "Reward employees who demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices and who willingly take the time to report potential threats through vigilance."Make cybersecurity a factor in each employees annual performance, Satterwhite advises. "This ensures that individuals clearly understand what's personally expected from them," she says. "Setting minimum security performance goals for each individual fosters a culture of accountability and shared responsibility."Related:Cybersecurity culture planning requires a cross-organizational effort. While the CISO or CSO typically leads, the tone must be set from the top with active board involvement, Sullivan says. "The C-suite should integrate cybersecurity into business strategy, and key stakeholders from IT, legal, HR, finance, and operations must collaborate to address an ever-evolving threat landscape." She adds that engaging employees at all levels through continuous education will ensure that cybersecurity becomes everyone's responsibility.Culture BuildingLiberty Mutual Insurance builds its cybersecurity culture with "Responsible Defenders," a culture-based awareness initiative that's designed to educate the firm's 45,000 global employees about their role as frontline guardians against cyberattacks. "The program aims to educate employees about their responsibility to keep sensitive customer, employee, and company information secure," says Jill Areson-Perkins, a cybersecurity manager at Liberty Mutual Insurance, in an online interview. The program's goal is to keep employees engaged throughout the year with social engineering exercises, gamification tactics, blog posts, videos, and online training and events. "As the cyber threat landscape continues to evolve, we regularly update and enhance our training and education."Related:Liberty Mutual also fosters a cybersecurity environment by deploying exercises that use real phishing emails as templates. Employees that fail the exercise are given real-time training that highlights the rogue emails' suspicious components. "We also provide a 'Friends and Family Cyber Guide' for employees to share externally." The guide offers tips on topics such as 'phishy' emails, password management, and social media privacy, Areson-Perkins says. "By actively engaging every employee, as well as senior leaders and business partners across the company, we cultivate a culture where everyone feels empowered to safeguard the company."Final ThoughtsA big mistake many organizations make is treating cybersecurity as a separate initiative that's disconnected from the organizations core mission, Sullivan says. "Cybersecurity should be recognized as a critical business imperative that requires board and C-suite-level attention and strategic oversight."Creating a healthy network security culture is an ongoing process that involves continuous learning, adaptation, and collaboration among teams, Tadmor says. This requires more thought than just setting policies -- it's also about integrating security practices into daily routines and workflows. "Regular training, open communication, and real-time monitoring are essential components to keep the culture alive and responsive to emerging network threats," he says. "By making network security a shared responsibility across the organization, companies can build a resilient and adaptive security posture."Seek clarity and openness, Satterwhite suggests. "One of the biggest mistakes in building a cybersecurity culture is adopting industry buzzwords that don't resonate with employees," she explains. Use company-aligned terms in internal campaigns that promote the importance of securing the companys mission. "Make sure that the messaging is clear and understandable at every level of the organization."About the AuthorJohn EdwardsTechnology Journalist & AuthorJohn Edwards is a veteran business technology journalist. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and numerous business and technology publications, including Computerworld, CFO Magazine, IBM Data Management Magazine, RFID Journal, and Electronic Design. He has also written columns for The Economist's Business Intelligence Unit and PricewaterhouseCoopers' Communications Direct. John has authored several books on business technology topics. His work began appearing online as early as 1983. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he wrote daily news and feature articles for both the CompuServe and Prodigy online services. His "Behind the Screens" commentaries made him the world's first known professional blogger.See more from John EdwardsNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

The edge computing landscape has undergone significant expansion. This growth has been matched by an increase in innovative architectural options, enabling organizations to optimize edge deployments for performance, scalability and security.Embedded databases are becoming increasingly crucial for the growing edge and internet of things (IoT). They are integrated directly into software, providing data management for end-users without the need for separate database servers. This allows for more efficient and streamlined operations than the traditional alternatives of file systems and message queues. Additionally, embedded databases can significantly reduce the complexity and cost associated with managing large amounts of data in IoT applications.This localized approach, where the database is located on the device itself, is particularly beneficial for IoT devices, offering several advantages.Reduced latency is a significant advantage. By eliminating communication with remote servers, embedded databases process data swiftly, enabling real-time insights and actions. This instantaneous processing empowers timely decision-making.Device independence is another vital feature. Embedded databases allow devices to function autonomously, even without network connectivity. This capability is crucial for applications where internet access is intermittent or unreliable, ensuring uninterrupted operation.Related:Resource optimization is also achieved. Embedded databases are tailored to leverage the specific capabilities and resources of their host devices. This optimization leads to efficient utilization of processing power, memory and storage, maximizing device potential. As a result, tasks can be completed more quickly and efficiently, enhancing overall productivity.Furthermore, embedded databases provide a level of security by storing data locally on the device, reducing the risk of data breaches or unauthorized access. Overall, the combination of device independence, resource optimization, and autonomous functionality make embedded databases an essential component in today's technology-driven world.The IoT landscape is evolving, with applications becoming increasingly sophisticated and data intensive. Consequently, demand for high-performance embedded databases is rising. As more devices connect to the internet and generate vast amounts of data, the need for efficient data storage and retrieval solutions is becoming more critical.Embedded databases offer a solution that can handle the growing demands of IoT applications, ensuring that data is managed securely and effectively. The adoption of embedded databases is crucial for businesses and industries looking to capitalize on the benefits of IoT technology while maintaining high levels of performance and security.Related:To effectively support IoT applications, embedded databases must deliver exceptional capabilities. They must handle real-time processing at scale, managing continuous data streams from IoT devices to provide instantaneous insights and support time-sensitive actions. Additionally, embedded databases must have robust security measures in place to protect sensitive data from potential cyber threats. They must also be able to handle the complex data relationships and connectivity requirements that come with IoT applications.By meeting these demands, embedded databases can empower businesses to fully leverage the potential of IoT technology and drive innovation in their respective industries.Scalability is also crucial. As connected devices proliferate and data volumes surge, embedded databases must seamlessly accommodate growth without compromising performance. Ensuring that embedded databases can easily scale up to meet the increasing demands of IoT applications is essential for businesses to stay competitive in today's fast-paced digital landscape.Related:High-performance embedded databases fuel IoT innovation through real-time data analysis, enabling informed decision-making and groundbreaking products. They adapt to emerging trends, keeping businesses competitive and unlocking IoT's transformative potential for efficiency, productivity and growth.Selecting the optimal embedded database for IoT applications requires careful consideration of several critical factors.Performance is paramount. The chosen database must efficiently handle required data ingestion rates and deliver low latency for real-time processing, ensuring timely insights.Scalability is also vital. The database should seamlessly accommodate anticipated growth in device numbers and data volume without compromising performance.Ease of use is essential for streamlined integration and management. A user-friendly application programming interface and minimal maintenance requirements minimize complexity.Resource consumption must be optimized. The database should boast a compact footprint, minimizing its impact on device resources such as processing power, memory and storage. The database must operate dependably in challenging environments, guaranteeing data integrity, availability and resilience.The future of embedded databases in IoT looks bright. As the demand for real-time data processing and analysis at the edge continues to grow, embedded databases are likely to play an even more critical role in driving innovation and enabling new possibilities in various industries. Consider them now for your edge applications to get the power of the database at the edge and enable many more processing capabilities there.

Boom Supersonics XB-1 taking off for a test flightBoom SupersonicCommercial supersonic aircraft may soon return for the first time since Concorde was retired in 2003. Several companies are working on designs and NASA is investing millions in developing technology to eradicate the problematic sonic boom such planes generate. However, whether there will be a market for these kind of flights isnt known, especially given their large carbon footprint.Aircraft create shock waves once they pass the speed of sound, which is about

Michael Hambrey and Jrg AleanA giant, impossible icicle. Starkly exposed mountain slopes. Billion-year-old rocks behind a lone iceberg. And the view from within a glacial tunnel.These four beautiful and moving images come from a new book, Our Frozen Planet by Michael Hambrey and Jrg Alean. It sets out to celebrate the cryosphere the collective noun that describes the worlds ice in all its forms, from glaciers and ice sheets to permafrost and snow cover.The main image shows ice that has formed around a waterfall near Giswil, Switzerland. Icicles growing from the top have fused with ice formations emerging from the bottom to create a giant ice column.AdvertisementBryce Canyon in UtahMichael Hambrey and Jrg AleanPictured above is Bryce Canyon in Utah. The direction of a slope strongly affects how snow is distributed in mountainous areas. Almost all the snow has melted on the south-facing slope of this ridge, but a substantial cover remains on the shady, north-facing left side.Nordvestfjord, in Northeast Greenland National Park,Michael Hambrey and Jrg AleanThe image above shows Nordvestfjord, in Northeast Greenland National Park, where some of the worlds oldest metamorphic rock forms a backdrop to an iceberg reflected in the deep fjords waters.Vadret da Morteratsch glacierMichael Hambrey and Jrg AleanIn Switzerlands Vadret da Morteratsch glacier (pictured above), meltwater has carved a tunnel through the snow and ice. The photo was taken from inside the tunnel in winter when no meltwater was flowing through.Topics:

The CDC randomly inspects and scores cruise ships to prevent the spread of stomach viruses.27 cruise ships received a perfect score in 2024.Norovirus can spread quickly on packed vessels.Not all cruise ships are created or operated equally.In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 13 bacterial and viral outbreaks (mostly norovirus) on ships. However, not every floating resort is damned to become a floating petri dish.Quite the opposite in 2024, the public health agency awarded perfect sanitation scores to 27 vessels. Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas had two outbreaks in 2024, one from norovirus and the other from salmonella. Sergi Reboredo/VW PICS/Universal Images Group via Getty Images Norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, is the most common virus to afflict cruises. Crowded ships provide an ideal setting for the highly contagious bug to spread fast, often through contaminated water, food, surfaces, and people.Just as quickly, it can ruin your vacation the four predominant symptoms are vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.To help mitigate these incidents, the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program regularly inspects cruise liners and scores them from zero to 100. MSC Meraviglia is one of 27 cruise ships to have received a perfect score from the CDC in 2024. Florent Serfari/Reuters The reviews which include checking heavily trafficked areas like pools and children's activity centers are random and unannounced.Vermin and improperly stored food are big no-nos. In addition to the obvious, inspectors also look behind the scenes for more nuanced details, such as the dishwasher's water temperature and the frequency at which the pool's hair and lint strainer is disinfected.The CDC has performed 151 inspections in 2024, including repeat inspections on 23 ships. The majority scored above 95, and 27 (listed below) have received perfect marks:Celebrity Apex Celebrity Cruises (inspected November 10)Seven Seas Grandeur Regent Seven Seas Cruises (inspected October 23)Norwegian Jade Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected October 21)Carnival Magic Carnival Cruise Line (inspected October 13)Star Pride Windstar Cruises (inspected September 29)Jewel of the Seas Royal Caribbean International (inspected September 28)Serenade of the Seas Royal Caribbean International (inspected September 10)Carnival Spirit Carnival Cruise Line (inspected September 3)Zuiderdam Holland America Line (inspected August 24)Viking Orion Viking Ocean Cruises (inspected August 18)Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Cruise Line (inspected August 16)Norwegian Jewel Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected July 24)Oceania Regatta Oceania Cruises (inspected July 24)Radiance of the Seas Royal Caribbean International (inspected July 21)MSC Meraviglia MSC Cruises (inspected July 9)Norwegian Bliss Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected June 22)MSC Seashore MSC Cruises (inspected May 26)Norwegian Sky Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected May 23)Brilliance of the Seas Royal Caribbean International (inspected May 16)Viking Polaris Viking (inspected April 2)Celebrity Equinox Celebrity Cruises (inspected February 25)Norwegian Breakaway Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected September 22)Norwegian Escape Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected January 27)Explora I MSC Cruises (inspected January 25)Disney Fantasy Disney Cruise Line (inspected January 24)Celebrity Ascent Celebrity Cruises (inspected January 7)Norwegian Gem Norwegian Cruise Line (inspected January 2)In 2023, 24 vessels racked a perfect score.

Tim Miller was paid $225,000 for directing the first "Deadpool" movie in 2016.The superhero movie raked in $782 million at the box office.It launched a huge franchise, which is worth $2.9 billion after 2024's "Deadpool & Wolverine."Back in 2016 Tim Miller directed "Deadpool", launching a lucrative global superhero franchise work he said earned him a relatively small $225,000.The violent, R-rated movies star Ryan Reynolds as the titular foul-mouthed superhero. According to TheNumbers.com, the franchise is now worth over $2.9 billion after the riotous success of the third film, "Deadpool & Wolverine."Collider reported that Miller discussed his salary during a recent panel at the CCXP convention in Brazil, which took place from December 5-8.He said: "You guys might not know, but it's not really a profitable thing to be a first-time director in Hollywood, and I'll tell you exactly. I got $225,000 to direct 'Deadpool.' I know it sounds like a lot of money, but for two years of work, that's not a ton of money."Miller said he was grateful for the opportunity, but joked that at the time, his agent told him: "'Dude, you make more on an episode of 'The Walking Dead!'"The director went on to say that there's a misconception about typical salaries in Hollywood. "I think a lot of people think that everyone's getting paid millions and millions in Hollywood. It's just not the case, not always," he said.The minimum salary for members of the Director's Guild of America in 2024 is $237,670 for a guaranteed shoot of 10 weeks.In July 2024, Reynolds said he "let go of getting paid" for "Deadpool" because it was a passion project for him and he wanted to see it on the big screen. The film was a risk because of its violence and profanity, which meant that younger fans and families couldn't go see it.Regardless, it still made $782 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. For Miller, that success overrides the small salary.He said: "You know what I feel? Nothing but pride. I mean, I feel like every time I walk down the aisles out there on the floor of CCXP and I see all these Deadpool figurines, I think they wouldn't be here if we hadn't made that film. And I feel uniquely fortunate that I could be part of it."Miller's work on "Deadpool" propelled his career forward. He directed 2019's "Terminator: Dark Fate" as well as episodes of Netflix's "Love, Death, and Robots." He also created the animated anthology video game series, "Secret Level," for Amazon Prime Video.He also joked that he should've negotiated a merchandise deal into his contract."Then my second thought is, I wish my director deals had a piece of the merchandising so that I could get some money from all of that."Rob Mitchell, the director of theatrical insights at Gower Street Analytics, told Business Insider that backend and merchandise deals allow actors and directors to take on "riskier" projects that earn more if the project is successful.He said: "The most famous one is Jack Nicholson's deal on the original 'Batman' film that he got a huge payday out of. He took a salary cut, but took a backend and made an absolute fortune of it. That isn't uncommon, that would happen with big stars in riskier projects."

Pro-Trump tech leaders and MAGA loyalists are feuding over how to overhaul US immigration.A debate over high-skill immigration intensified between the two groups in recent days.The debate came after Trump's appointment of an Indian-born tech leader as a senior policy advisor.President-elect Donald Trump's backers in Silicon Valley are at odds with his MAGA loyalists over a key issue: immigration.In recent days, Elon Musk and others in the tech sector have increasingly shared support for visas that allow companies to hire highly-skilled workers from overseas. The move has riled up Trump backers in favor of stricter immigration rules in the process.The recent debate came after Trump offered Sriram Krishnan, a Chennai-born, Indian-American investor, a role as a senior policy advisor for artificial intelligence a move that triggered heated criticisms online.Krishnan, who was recently in London leading an expansion of venture capital firm A16z's previously lived in the US, where he completed stints at Microsoft, Twitter, and Meta from 2005.Criticisms have largely come from anonymous accounts online one X post asked if anyone had voted "for this Indian to run America," prompting a defense from Trump's AI and crypto czar David Sacks.They also prompted a wider debate on the merits of the H-1B visa commonly used to employ skilled workers from other countries.Tech leaders such as Musk, who have been deeply critical of illegal immigration, have used the saga to defend immigration that prioritizes the transfer of high-skilled foreign workers into American companies.On Thursday, Musk said his priority was bringing in top engineering talent legally saying it is "essential for America to keep winning.""Thinking of America as a pro sports team that has been winning for a long time and wants to keep winning is the right mental construct," he wrote on X.Musk's co-lead at the Department of Government Efficiency, Vivek Ramaswamy, also took to X on Thursday. He argued that tech companies often hire foreign-born engineers, saying it allowed them to avoid what he called an American culture that has "venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.""A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he wrote in an almost 400-word post.In a later post, he said immigration rules should be reformed more effectively to funnel talent to the US. The H-1B system was not effective, he said, and "should be replaced with one that focuses on selecting the very best of the best."Marc Benioff, the boss of Salesforce, also weighed in, offering a solution to keep the "best and brightest" foreign students in the US after graduation: "Can we staple a US green card to every degree earned at an American university?"The pro-immigration messages haven't gone down well with everyone in the Trump pack.Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, who Trump briefly put forward to be his Attorney General, wrote an X post on Thursday saying that tech figures should butt out.When Republicans embraced them, he said, "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy."Meanwhile, far-right activist and Trump supporter Laura Loomer used several posts to express strong opposition to H-1B visas and her concerns over the "replacement of American tech workers by Indian immigrants."Where Trump will land on the issue remains to be seen. Immigration lawyers have warned tech workers that a "storm is coming" with the arrival of a second Trump term, and suggested those who have left to get back before it's too late.The debate signals a deep divide between different groups of Trump supporters as he prepared to take office.