Digital Clay: Cuneiform languages represent the earliest known writing systems in human history. The Sumerians used this method by making indentations in clay tablets, a practice later adopted by other civilizations, including the Akkadians and Persians. Millennia later, cuneiform could once again prove significant this time, as inspiration for innovations in the field of data storage. A team of researchers at Flinders University has adopted a cuneiform-inspired concept to develop a cutting-edge method for storing bits and bytes on a futuristic, polymer-based material. This new material offers high storage density and can be erased and recycled multiple times, making it a promising alternative to traditional hard disk drives, NAND flash-based solid-state drives, and other modern storage technologies.Developed at the Flinders University Chalker Lab, the polymer stores data as nanoscopic "dents," essentially applying the principles of cuneiform writing to digital data storage. The polymer is crafted from two low-cost materials, sulfur and dicyclopentadiene, and the data is written using an atomic force microscope and read with a scanning probe tool.Although designed for digital data storage, the system employs a three-state encoding method that allows each indentation to represent one of three values. The precise control offered by the atomic force microscope and scanning tool enables fine-tuning of these values. A non-existent indent corresponds to a digital zero, an indent with a depth of 0.3 to 1.0 nanometers represents a one, and a depth of 1.5 to 2.5 nanometers encodes a two.The recently published study highlights "exquisite" control over indentation depth, ranging from one to 30 nanometers, while the proposed ternary encoding boosts data density up to four times compared to binary systems. Notably, the writing process operates at room temperature, requiring minimal energy. The polymer remains stable under normal conditions but can be erased by heating it to 140 degrees Celsius for just 10 seconds.According to the study's senior author, Professor Justin Chalker, this nanoscopic cuneiform system underscores the versatility of polymers in meeting diverse industrial needs. "The age of big data and artificial intelligence is increasingly driving demand for data storage solutions," Chalker noted. New solutions are required to support the ever-growing needs of the information era. // Related StoriesThe researchers pointed out that storing digital data as surface indentations was previously explored by major IT corporations such as IBM, LG Electronics, and Intel. However, these earlier approaches were ultimately abandoned due to their complexity, high costs, or energy inefficiency. In contrast, the newly developed polymer demonstrates significant improvements over these prior attempts.Currently, numerous companies and research teams are striving to discover or develop the next big breakthrough in data storage. Efforts range from compacting data into optical media, ceramics, and diamonds to exploring DNA storage. Even the traditional hard disk drive technology continues to evolve, aiming to meet the growing demands of artificial intelligence and big data-driven industries.

My relationship with games has changed many times over my lifetime, but one constant has always been how I approached them from a completionist standpoint. From my younger years all the way through to young adulthood, I have been in a position where I only got a couple of new games a year. Because gaming was my passion, I would squeeze every ounce of content out of a game to make it last. That started out as things like finding every secret or completing every challenge, to the modern tradition of Trophy and Achievement hunting for an official 100% completion.Reflecting on my last few years of gaming especially in 2024 I have realized that this habit is diluting my enjoyment with gaming rather than strengthening it. I dont intend on playing fewer games in 2025; instead I want to break my habit of feeling so obligated to complete games and let my time with them end naturally.Recommended VideosI never intended to be a completionist. It was something I sort of fell into out of necessity when my gaming options were so limited and I was desperate for more ways to get any kind of mileage out of the games I had. That took a bit of creativity prior to getting an Xbox 360, but after I was introduced to Achievements (and later Trophies on PlayStation) I suddenly had clear objectives to chase. At the time, I was happy to get some kind of recognition and feedback for doing everything the game asked of me in some kind of record. Like with many people out there, it even became a bit of an obsession to get that 100% or Platinum Trophy, despite knowing it is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.RelatedI mostly regret the effort I put into that pursuit and it isnt just because I can afford new games whenever I want. Its because I am tarnishing the memories of otherwise powerful experiences I wish were left more pristine.Square EnixA perfect example of this from 2024 is Final Fantasy VII Rebirth. I am not unique in how important his franchise has been in my life nor how much I was anticipating this chapter in the remake series. However, like many others, I was also concerned about how it would handle its open world. To some extent, those reservations were justified. As polished and well-crafted as the main plot is as well as most of the main side quests its filled with open-world busywork. Climbing towers, completing combat challenges, and scanning locations arent offensive on their own, but neither are they additive to my enjoyment. Each one adds a spoonful of water to the broth. By the time Id done them all, I had completely watered down my perception of the adventure.I dont want to be hyperbolic and say that side quests and optional challenges ruined gaming for me. They didnt. What I will say is that, at best, they dont leave any impact on me and just fill time. Thats not what I play games for.This isnt a strict rule, as few things ever are. The perfect counterpoint came out last year: Digital Trends game of the year, Astro Bot. The path to 100% completion wasnt bogged down in repetitive grinding or monotonous filler. Every extra challenge either added a fresh experience just as delightful as the main game or sparked a sense of joy from what I discovered. A large part of that is due to the game being so razor-focused, even when you aim to do and see it all. The real difference is in the intangible; my enjoyment with Astro Bot only grew the more I did.Not all games will fall on either end of this spectrum. I have to learn to be satisfied putting a game down only sampling its side content just as much as doing everything or nothing. Even dropping a game before finishing the story is OK. Games serve each of us in different ways, but are never meant to feel like a chore.I realize how fortunate I am to be in a position where I am free to put a game down at any moment and pick up another. That luxury has afforded me the chance to reflect and realize that I put more value on preserving my natural experience with a game than filling time. Even if I could only get two or three games this year, I would still resolve to practice some self-restraint and let my experience with them end naturally. That could mean doing everything in an Astro Botor dropping it after the first level.A digital Trophy doesnt mean anything to me after that flash of dopamine fades just as quickly as the notification on my screen. On the other hand, I will always regret how my memories of Rebirth are so heavily weighed down with grinding Chadley activities while mindlessly listening to a podcast over the emotional punches and resonating themes that I want to carry with me. Those are the moments I want to better protect in 2025.Editors Recommendations

html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40/loose.dtd" Getting out ahead of the madness of CES 2025, LG has hit the ground running today by announcing two new lifestyle projectors the first an odd, but stylish-looking HD projector thats also a standing lamp and a Bluetooth speaker in one, and the other a new 4K ultra short throw (UST) number that the company says is its smallest ever.LG is calling its 3-in-1 PF600U projector a lifestyle companion for everyday spaces that the company hopes will transport living spaces with its multifunctionality, an LG press release says.Recommended VideosOne of the biggest pain points that customers face with projectors, especially standard-throw models that need space and are often situated somewhere in the middle of your living room, is that that they can be unsightly and get in the way when not in use. The LG PF600U looks to ease that pain by marrying a projector with the design of a stylish floor-standing lamp that can be easily moved around. It also has the added functionality of a Bluetooth speaker for playing music when youre not watching movies.The LG PF600U is a smart-looking lamp thats also a projector thats also a Bluetooth speaker. LGInspired by a floor lamp, the stand-pole design ensures intuitive usability and effortless integration into any space, the release says, and LG has also seen fit to outfit the PF600U with some decent projector specs, including Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution and 300 ANSI lumens of brightness from its LED light source. The projector runs on LGs webOS, from which you can run all your streaming apps and services, or connect your own streaming device through the projectors single HDMI port.Please enable Javascript to view this contentIts pretty light and compact, too, at just over 16 pounds, and features a 110-degree tilting head for adjusting the picture, as well as automatic screen adjustment to help you set it up easily as you move it into the best position.RelatedAs an LED lamp, the PF600U offers nine colors and five brightness levels, and its stereo speakers with passive radiators are said to offer rich and immersive sound.The LG CineBeam S is the companys smallest UST projector yet. LGLG also announced its newest lifestyle UST projector, the CineBeam S (model PU615U). The super-small (4.3 inches by 6.3 inches by 6.3 inches, and 5.5 pounds), rectangular tower-shaped projector is the smallest LG has ever made, the company says. And while its 500 ANSI lumens of brightness may seem low compared to many USTs on the market, its likely more than sufficient for its 40- inch to 100-inch image size, which it can throw from mere inches from your screen or wall.The CineBeam S boasts 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution from its RGB laser light source, as well as an impressive 154% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. Like the PF600U, the CineBeam S runs LGs webOS, but goes a bit further with the auto screen adjustment specs by adding wall color adjustment and screen scaling/shifting to adapt to all kinds of room and wall configurations. And while it doesnt do double duty as a Bluetooth speaker, the CineBeam S has built-in stereo speakers and also supports Dolby Atmos sound for immersive movie viewing.With the PF600Us 3-in-1 versatility and the CineBeam Ss compact, ultra-short throw design, LG is setting a new standard for lifestyle projectors that cater to diverse spaces and user demands, said YS Lee, vice president and head of the IT Business Unit, LG Media Entertainment Solution Company. LG is dedicated to delivering versatile projectors that adapt to different moods and lifestyles while seamlessly integrating into various environments, elevating the everyday experiences of modern users.There were no details on pricing or availability for either the PF600U or the ConeBeam S in the press release, but keep an eye on our CES 2025 coverage in the hopes that LG spills the beans during the show.Editors Recommendations

On January 7, tech giants and promising startups alike will converge on Las Vegas for CES 2025, the most powerful tech event in the world. The Digital Trends editorial team will be there on the show floor, talking with experts, trying products for the first time, and breaking down what this years innovations mean for you.

In the court intrigues of early 17th-century Britain, a handsome face and the favor of the king took one man to the height of power, before it all went wrong.

The taming of nuclear fission into a source of controlled power was a breakthrough met with great hope and deep distrust.

The heady world of the early Christians began with Jewish followers of Jesus and later became dominated by Romans attracted to the still-new religion.

Defying gravity Delve into the physics of the Hula-Hoop It's not the gyrating motion of the hips that keeps the hoop aloft; it's a body type with a sloping surface as "hips." Jennifer Ouellette Jan 3, 2025 1:11 pm | 4 Credit: Warner Bros. Credit: Warner Bros. Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn more High-speed video of experiments on a robotic hula hooper, whose hourglass form holds the hoop up and in place. Some version of the Hula-Hoop has been around for millennia, but the popular plastic version was introduced by Wham-O in the 1950s and quickly became a fad. Now, researchers have taken a closer look at the underlying physics of the toy, revealing that certain body types are better at keeping the spinning hoops elevated than others, according to a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.We were surprised that an activity as popular, fun, and healthy as hula hooping wasnt understood even at a basic physics level, said co-author Leif Ristroph of New York University. As we made progress on the research, we realized that the math and physics involved are very subtle, and the knowledge gained could be useful in inspiring engineering innovations, harvesting energy from vibrations, and improving in robotic positioners and movers used in industrial processing and manufacturing.Ristroph's lab frequently addresses these kinds of colorful real-world puzzles. For instance, in 2018, Ristroph and colleagues fine-tuned the recipe for the perfect bubble based on experiments with soapy thin films. In 2021, the Ristroph lab looked into the formation processes underlying so-called "stone forests" common in certain regions of China and Madagascar.In 2021, his lab built a working Tesla valve, in accordance with the inventor's design, and measured the flow of water through the valve in both directions at various pressures. They found the water flowed about two times slower in the nonpreferred direction. In 2022, Ristroph studied the surpassingly complex aerodynamics of what makes a good paper airplanespecifically, what is needed for smooth gliding. Girl twirling a Hula-Hoop in 1958 Credit: George Garrigues/CC BY-SA 3.0 And last year, Ristroph's lab cracked the conundrum of physicist Richard Feynman's "reverse sprinkler" problem, concluding that the reverse sprinkler rotates a good 50 times slower than a regular sprinkler but operates along similar mechanisms. The secret is hidden inside the sprinkler, where there are jets that make it act like an inside-out rocket. The internal jets don't collide head-on; rather, as water flows around the bends in the sprinkler arms, it is slung outward by centrifugal force, leading to asymmetric flow.Enter the mini-robotsThere haven't been many prior studies on the physics of the Hula-Hoop. There was one in 1960 when the toy first became a modern fad, another in 1987, and a smattering of more recent papers since 2008 as the Hula-Hoop's popularity has risen again as a form of exercise of performance art. Most studies modeled it as a two-dimensional problem involving a freely hinged extended mass or a ring rolling around a moving circle. This does not account for 3D factors like gravitynamely, how the hoop can remain suspended in rotation for extended periods of time.Hula-Hoop physics has many of the same subtle aspects as a spinning topi.e., a rotating rigid body with "complex couplings between different degrees of freedom, as well as non inertial reference frames and fictitious forces," the authors wrotealong with additional issues involving a rolling point of contact on a body's surface, activated by gyration motions. Ristoph et al. thought that geometry might strongly affect the hoop dynamics and decided to investigate further. We were specifically interested in what kinds of body motions and shapes could successfully hold the hoop up and what physical requirements and restrictions are involved, said Ristroph.The team performed a series of experiments using mini-robots holding different 3D-printed geometric shapes: cones, cylinders, or hourglasses, for example. Built-in motors caused the shapes to gyrate much like a person's hips while using a hula hoop. Then Ristroph et al. launched six-inch mini hoops onto the shapes, filming the resulting movement in high-speed video. Vertical motions of hoops on robotic gyrators of different shapes. Credit: X. Zu et al, 2025 It turns out that the kind of gyrating motion generated is not a significant factor in keeping the hoop aloft and spinning; instead, as Ristroph et al. had suspected, the key is the geometric shape. For instance, all trials involving a cylinder shape were abject failures, unable to keep the hoop aloft. Conical shapes using a circular gyration performed a bit better, but the hoop descended or rose depending on the height at which it was initially released. "The hoop sinks if set free from a low point on the body and rises if released sufficiently high, but it never keeps a level," the authors wrote.The most robust shape for suspending a hula hoop for extended periods turns out to be an hourglass shape, even when using different release heights.People come in many different body typessome who have these slope and curvature traits in their hips and waist and some who dont, said Ristroph. Our results might explain why some people are natural hoopers and others seem to have to work extra hard.The authors ultimately identified two distinct forms of equilibrium that enable steady-state hula hooping: a synchronization process causing the hoop to twirl at the same frequency as the gyration motion, directing its center outward,and the hoop's vertical positioning. The former requires that the hoop be launched sufficiently fast in the same direction as the gyrating motion, while the latter is strongly dependent on body shapewith an hourglass being ideal. More generally, the results "show how the motion and positioning of an object can be controlled through the geometry and kinematics of a surface in which it is in rolling contact," the authors concluded.PNAS, 2025. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2411588121 (About DOIs).Jennifer OuelletteSenior WriterJennifer OuelletteSenior Writer Jennifer is a senior reporter at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 4 Comments

A++ The 2025 Honda Civic Hybrid: A refreshing alternative to a crossover Knobs, buttons, fun to drive, and up to 50 mpg means there's a lot to like. Jonathan M. Gitlin Jan 3, 2025 12:48 pm | 24 The current Civic has more restrained styling than previous generations. Now, it comes with a highly efficient hybrid powertrain. Credit: Jonathan Gitlin The current Civic has more restrained styling than previous generations. Now, it comes with a highly efficient hybrid powertrain. Credit: Jonathan Gitlin Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreWhen Honda gave the 11th-generation Civic Hatchback a refresh late last year, among the changes were the addition of a hybrid option to the lineup. There was already a lot to like about Honda's compact, which eschews lamentable trends like an over-reliance on touchscreens for good old-fashioned physical controls. Now, a big efficiency boost makes it even more attractive.The new powertrain is available in the $29,950 Sport Hybrid and the $32,950 Sport Touring Hybrid (the trim we tested). With an output of 200 hp (150 kW) and 232 lb-ft (315 Nm), it's both more powerful and torquier than the 1.5 L turbo previously found in the top trim Civics. And it uses a heck of a lot less fuel in the process.The Civic uses a hybrid powertrain with two electric motors working with the 2.0 L, four-cylinder engine. One works as a generator to charge the 1 kWh traction battery from the engine under most conditions. The battery then powers the 181 hp (135 kW) traction motor, which is what mostly drives the front wheels, although like most other series hybrids of this nature, it operates as a parallel hybrid with the 141 hp (105 kW) gasoline engine directly driving the front wheels at highway cruising speeds, as that is actually more efficient. (For some reason, this supposed lack of engineering purity seems to really upset some people, who I am sure will let us know why in the comments.) Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin Jonathan Gitlin With most of the propulsive power coming from the electric traction motor, the Civic hybrid feels very smooth when you move off from a standstill. And with so much torque on offer, you only need part throttle most of the time. When the internal combustion engine does fire up, it manages to sound much less unpleasant as it revs away than the engines you might find under the hood of a Toyota hybrid. Evidently, that "bucket of bolts in a blender" noise is not common to all Atkinson cycle engines.According to the EPA numbers, the Civic Sport Touring we tested should be capable of 50 mpg (4.7 L/100 km) in the city and 45 mpg (5.2 L/100 km) on the highway. But we tested the car in late December, when the mercury had dropped firmly into "chilly" territory. All vehicles lose efficiency in the winter, but the hit to hybrids can be particularly bad. Driven carefully, about 38 mpg (6.2 L/100 km) was possible in practice, dropping to 34 mpg (6.9 L/100 km) if I hoofed the throttle too often. This is the hybrid powertrain. Credit: Honda And that can be tempting. The car we tested is much more pedestrian than the Type-R, but from the driver's seat, it wants to eat corners almost as ravenously as that track-tuned model. That surprised me because the Type-R uses a limited slip differential, and these more sedate models do not. This is indeed a car that will reward you for hustling it down a twisty road should the desire arise.The paddles on the steering wheel increase or decrease the amount of regenerative braking you experience when you lift the throttle rather than changing (non-existent) gears. Turned off, the Civic Hybrid will coast down the road with aplomb; in its strongest setting, it's not quite one-pedal driving.The driving position is now rather low-slung for a normal passenger car, no doubt a feeling exacerbated by a driving diet too-heavy in crossovers and SUVs, but you don't feel quite as close to the ground as you might in, say, an MX-5. Visibility is good, and the ergonomics/HMI deserves praise for the fact that most of the controls are physical buttons. The air vents even have little machined metal stalks to aim them. It's a well-thought out interior. Honda It's a well-thought out interior. Honda Look at those glorious controls. Honda Look at those glorious controls. Honda It's a hatchback, so it's very practical. Honda It's a hatchback, so it's very practical. Honda Look at those glorious controls. Honda It's a hatchback, so it's very practical. Honda It's also easy to live with. The hatchback means loading cargo is no hassle, although at this price point, you have to close your own tailgate; there is no motor assistance. The front and rear are spacious enough, considering the class of car, and there are plenty of USB-C ports for people to use to recharge their stuff. The heated front seats heated up very quickly on cold days, although a heated steering wheel would have been a nice addition.The Sport Touring Hybrid we tested also comes with a 9-inch Android Automotive-based infotainment system that includes a full suite of Google's automotive services, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And all Civics come with Honda Sensing, the company's suite of advanced driver assistance systems. Unusually for a Honda, we didn't even notice that many false positive alerts for the forward collision warning.In all, I find very little reason not to recommend the Civic Hatchback Hybrid to people looking for a fun and efficient car that's not too huge, too expensive, or too dependent on touchscreens.Jonathan M. GitlinAutomotive EditorJonathan M. GitlinAutomotive Editor Jonathan is the Automotive Editor at Ars Technica. He has a BSc and PhD in Pharmacology. In 2014 he decided to indulge his lifelong passion for the car by leaving the National Human Genome Research Institute and launching Ars Technica's automotive coverage. He lives in Washington, DC. 24 Comments

Artists impression of a group of Homo floresiensis with a freshly killed stegodon (Stegodon florensis insularis)MAURICIO ANTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARYSevere drought caused by climate change may have led to the decline of Indonesias pygmy elephants and the hobbit-like humans who hunted them.Until about 50,000 years ago, Homo floresiensis, standing about a metre tall, thrived on the South Pacific island of Flores by consuming meat from dwarf pachyderms called stegodons.Researchers originally thought that the tiny hominins whose bones were discovered