Gemini is becoming much more useful -- by allowing you to open it without unlocking your phone. And it can do a whole lot more.

Plant and Animal Genome Conference logo on display at the conference in San DiegoPhoto by authorThe Plant and Animal Genomics scientific conference was held in San Diego from January 10th to 15th. This was the 32nd time this meeting had been held, and this year it was attended by nearly 2,400 people from 65 countries (see table below).Attendees at the 32nd Plant and Animal Genomics Conference (Data provided by Steven Heller who has ... [+] chaired this event for more than 30 years)Table created by Author Genomics DefinedGenomics is a field of science in which the DNA of organisms is analyzed in order to understand the origins, relationships and functions of their genes. In addition to the academic aspects of this science, there are also a wide range of practical applications of genomics-related technologies ranging from medicine to industrial biotechnology to breeding and other improvements for crops and livestock. Together the investments made by these various industries have accelerated the cost-learning curves so that the expenses for key genomics technologies are now only a small fraction of what they were even a few years ago. This has opened the door to a great many real world plant and animal R&D opportunities.Dramatically Declining CostA key example of this dramatic progress concerns the technologies available for DNA sequencing. The Human Genome Project required 13 years and a budget of nearly $3Billion to document the code for the 33,000 or so genes that each human carries. Today the leading gene sequencing equipment company, Illumina, can decode DNA samples of that magnitude for around $200 in a few days. A company called Ultima has developed another sequencing machine that uses silicon wafers optimized and manufactured in volume for the semi-conductor industry in order to read up to 8 billion pieces, and then use AI to find all the connections that reveal the DNA sequences. Their price point is in the range of $100 for DNA samples at the scale of a human genome.An example of low cost genomics data: PAG conference pricing offer for running 30 whole genome ... [+] sequences of various subject genomes at the University of Minnesota Genomics Center using the Ultima Genomics UG100 systemTable by author based on handout from the eventMORE FOR YOUThe vitality of this industry was evident from the four large bulletin boards in the conference center covered with scores of job listings. There were 7 plenary sessions, more than 200 scientific presentations, multiple industry workshops, several large rooms full of posters and a very large exhibit hall with dozens of booths.Two of the four joblisting bulletin boards at the conferencePhoto by authorWhether it is through lab equipment and supplies or through the many tech service options, researchers and start-up companies can now take on genetic analysis and breeding projects that only a few years ago were only imaginable for the largest seed markets (e.g. corn and soybeans). There are state-of-the-art plant improvement projects described in a wide range of annual and perennial crops including a highly segmented and specialized crop like wheat or in specialized crops like Mangoes, Pomegranates, various cover crops, bioenergy crops, etc. Several talks concerned climate adaptation.What Is Being EnabledThe tools of modern genetics and genomics can enable three major process options for crop genetic improvement. The first is Marker Assisted Breeding (MAB) which uses traditional breeding methods that make the normal, random mix of thousands of genes on multiple chromosomes but dramatically refine that process because instead of need to grow up a huge number of the offspring to find the best combinations of genes, the most important genes can be detected even in each seed so that only the lines of greatest interest need to be taken to the next generation. This approach can make a huge difference for something like a perennial crop for which each generation can take many years, and it has already been widely used in major row crops.The tools of modern genetics are also enabling Genome Editing which is a method to allow very specific changes that might involve turning on or off a gene that is already present without adding any foreign DNA.The modern tools are also making it even easier to create Transgenic Crops in which highly useful traits can be intentionally introduced and accomplish goals that wouldnt be possible by Editing or Marker Assisted Breeding.The Regulatory Landscape Remains ComplicatedOne of the plenary sessions in PAG32 focused on the regulatory landscape which differs depending on the specifics of the genetic modification process and on the geography in which the crop might eventually be grown and/or marketed. For the United States and there is a defined and feasible pathway for all three of those major genetics approaches (MAB, Editing, Transgenics), and while that pathway may not be simple or fast, the agencies involved (USDA, EPA, FDA) encourage early stage discussions with crop developers to optimize the review process and expedite future commercialization or public release.The international landscape for the regulation of genetic modification is complex and, in some cases, unresolved at this time. For the most part a MAB approach is without significant barriers and genome editing may be fairly widely accepted, but that question remains unresolved for some very significant regions such as the EU where transgenic crops may face very significant hurdles.There is a certain irony in the fact that after 50 years of research conducted with self-elected caution and an intensive regulatory regime, a lack of international regulatory harmonization and brand protectionism will probably continue to constrain the full R&D potential that is now technically and financially feasible. Even so, advanced genomics will hopefully make a significant difference for climate adaptation and for meeting global dietary needs.

This Black History Month, the spotlight shines on Black leaders transforming the sustainability landscape. Across industries, these innovators are redefining environmental justice, sustainable development, and equity. From business leaders to global policymakers, their groundbreaking work addresses urgent global challenges while empowering communities. Here are five changemakers making a lasting impact.Garry Cooper, CEO of RheaplyGarry Cooper/Forbes1. Garry Cooper Transforms Resource ManagementGarry Cooper, co-founder and CEO of Rheaply, revolutionizes the way organizations manage surplus materials. By connecting businesses through Rheaplys resource-sharing platform, Cooper reduces waste and builds a more efficient circular economy.Rheaplys solutions allow companies to meet their sustainability goals while cutting costs and minimizing environmental impact. Coopers vision emphasizes collaboration and innovation to combat the global waste crisis.Felita Harris, Co-founder and Executive Director of RaisefashionFelita Harris2. Felita Harris Empowers BIPOC DesignersFelita Harris, co-founder and executive director of Raisefashion, helps BIPOC-owned fashion brands thrive in a sustainable market. Harris provides strategic support, including fundraising and development, to create long-term opportunities for underrepresented designers.Her work fosters economic empowerment and sustainability in the fashion industry, championing both creative and environmental equity.Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)CommonsMORE FOR YOU3. Damilola Ogunbiyi Leads a Global Energy TransitionDamilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), brings clean energy solutions to underserved regions worldwide. As a UN Special Representative for Sustainable Energy, she advocates for a just energy transition that prioritizes inclusivity and accessibility.Her initiatives have connected millions of people in Africa to affordable electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Ogunbiyis work highlights the importance of equity in addressing global energy challenges.4. Brittany Sierra Inspires Sustainable FashionBrittany Sierra, founder of the Sustainable Fashion ForumBrittany SierraBrittany Sierra, founder of the Sustainable Fashion Forum, challenges conventional fashion practices by promoting sustainable consumption. Through her platform and podcast, Sierra educates brands and consumers on actionable strategies to reduce their environmental footprint.Her work bridges the gap between awareness and action, emphasizing the need for systemic change in fashion production and consumer behavior.Sandra C. Chukwudozie, founder and CEO of Salpha EnergyBella Naija5. Sandra C. Chukwudozie Powers Communities with Solar EnergySandra C. Chukwudozie, founder and CEO of Salpha Energy, provides affordable solar power solutions to underserved communities in Nigeria. Her company has connected over 1.5 million people to renewable energy, empowering families and reducing carbon emissions.Chukwudozies leadership demonstrates the potential for scalable, community-focused renewable energy solutions to drive sustainable development globally.Why These Changemakers MatterEach of these leaders exemplifies how innovation and equity drive sustainability. Their efforts address critical challenges, from waste reduction to clean energy access, inspiring action across industries. This Black History Month, their contributions underscore the vital role of diverse leadership in building a sustainable and just future. Explore their work, support their initiatives, and learn from their success stories. These changemakers prove that equitable solutions and innovative thinking can create lasting environmental and social impact.

In brief: Amazon has spent years investing in robots that work in its fulfillment centers around the world. Developing and deploying these machines costs millions of dollars, but a new report claims they could save the tech giant up to $10 billion a year by 2030. Amazon's use of robots in its fulfillment centers and warehouses goes back more than a decade, but it really started ramping up the numbers in recent times, increasing from 350,000 robots in 2021 to more than 750,000 by June 2023.The robots perform virtually every task a human is able to do, from picking/packing and sorting items to transporting goods, inventory management, and storage, all of which make up about 60% of fulfillment costs.As noted in a Morgan Stanley report, Amazon has developed six new significant warehouse robots in the past three years, covering almost every stage of the fulfillment process.One of those robots is Digit. This bipedal, 5-foot 9-inch, 143-pound robot from Agility Robotics can walk forward, backward, and sideways, squat and bend, and move, grasp, and handle items using its arm/hand-like clasps.Digit, a potential Terminator precursor?In September, Amazon opened a new fulfillment center in Shreveport, Louisiana, that was the first to include all of the company's latest robots. Morgan Stanley writes that it expects to see a 25% reduction in fulfillment costs at the site during peak periods. // Related StoriesAccording to the analyst's report, if Amazon manages to fufil 30% of orders in the US through robotic fulfillment centers by 2030, it will save $4.5 billion to $9 billion annually. Should that figure reach 40%, the total savings could exceed $10 billion per year.Creating these futuristic locations isn't cheap. Amazon's traditional fulfillment centers cost around $200 million to develop, while the next-gen versions cost around $450 million. Even retrofitting current centers into high-tech robot-filled ones costs around $100 million. But if Morgan Stanley's predictions are accurate, the long-term savings make the spending worthwhile.There's little mention in the report of the impact these robots will have on human jobs. Both Amazon and the machines' maker have tried to quell fears by insisting the robots are there to enhance, not replace, jobs a statement often rolled out by companies adopting generative AI tools.

Cutting corners: OpenAI has launched a new ChatGPT tool called Deep Research, which uses reasoning to synthesize large amounts of information, complete multi-step research tasks, and produce detailed reports. The announcement comes amid growing competition from the likes of China's DeepSeek, which recently stunned the global AI community by launching a free chatbot app based on its R1 model. Deep research can reportedly carry out tasks on users' behalf to create a comprehensive report by synthesizing data from online sources, just like a research analyst. It is powered by a version of OpenAI's upcoming o3 model that can search, interpret, and analyze massive amounts of text, images, and PDFs available online.According to OpenAI, deep research takes just "tens of minutes" to accomplish tasks that would otherwise take humans many hours. The company hopes the tool will represent a significant step toward its broader goal of developing artificial general intelligence (AGI), which some experts believe could eventually produce novel scientific research.The new tool, which will be available as a button within the ChatGPT app, is designed for professionals in knowledge-based sectors such as science, engineering, finance, and policy fields that require precise and reliable research. It can also assist general users by providing "hyper-personalized" recommendations for purchases like cars, appliances, and furniture tasks that traditionally require extensive manual research.To use the tool, users must select Deep Research in the ChatGPT message composer and enter their query. OpenAI claims the tool can deliver accurate insights on a variety of topics, from streaming platform analysis to personalized reports on the best commuter bikes.In most cases, Deep Research will take between five and 30 minutes to complete complex, time-intensive web research. Users will receive a notification once the research is finished and a report is ready. OpenAI is also working to integrate embedded images, data visualizations, and other analytical outputs into reports for better clarity and context. // Related StoriesThis announcement comes just a week after OpenAI debuted another AI agent called Operator, designed for e-commerce users. According to the company, Operator can book flight tickets, make restaurant reservations, and even shop online using a photo of a shopping list. Operator is currently available only to ChatGPT Pro users in the U.S., but OpenAI has confirmed that it plans to roll it out to more users in the future.The AI company also recently unveiled o3-mini, its latest cost-efficient reasoning model, aimed at shifting some attention away from DeepSeek's momentum. o3-mini is now available in ChatGPT and via API, offering a specialized model for STEM fields (science, math, and coding), while maintaining a low operational cost.

At the Information Systems Europe (ISE) 2025 audiovisual showcase in Barcelona today, home theater projector makers Optoma unveiled its latest stunner, the Optoma UHZ68LV, a 4K UHD laser projector that boasts a whopping 5,000 lumens of brightness, but comes with the equally-blinding price of 4,000 (approximately $4,982).The Optoma UHZ68LV 4K is a dual-laser, standard-throw projector, which means it needs a runway of between 1 and 10 metres, depending on the size of the image you want. Speaking of which, this is where things get serious, as the UHZ68LV laser projector can turn your living room or man cave space into an impressive home theater, with the ability to project as small as 30 inches all the way up to a massive 300 inches, which translates to roughly 12 feet tall by 22 feet wide, for those with a parking lot at their disposal for a makeshift drive-in.The Optoma UHZ68LV 4K projector OptomaAs mentioned, the peak brightness of the DLP-driven UHZ68LV is 5,000 lumens, and the projector offers a contrast ratio of 3,200,000:1. Movie lovers will appreciate the projectors support for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR formats and Filmmaker mode for excellent contrast and color accuracy, which achieves 90% of the DCI-P3 gamut. Translation: dark darks, bright brights, and dynamic color that should withstand the challenges of ambient light in your room.Recommended VideosOptoma says that picture quality, detail sharpness, and motion smoothness is handled by its latest and most advanced processor for home cinema, the PureEngine Ultra, and calibration modes from the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) that handles governs standards for the display industry, make sure that the projector adapts to your rooms lighting environment.The Optoma UHZ68LV 4K projector OptomaSetup-wise, the UHZ68Ls lens is flexible for your space, with a 1.6-times zoom, lens shift, vertical and horizontal keystone correction, and 360-degree projection, meaning you can setup the UHZ68LV in front, rear, or ceiling-mounted positions, depending on your needs.Please enable Javascript to view this contentFrom the announcement of the UHZ68LV from the ISE showcase, only the price of 3999.99 was given (U.S. $4,981.62), with no availability dates made public as yet.Editors Recommendations

A few years after the collapse of the Dark Universe, the most famous of movie monsters are enjoying a second life.

The digital identity verification provider will recognize $11 million in restructuring charges during the fourth quarter, which will primarily be paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2026.

no more slipping and sliding Gecko feet inspire anti-slip shoe soles Adding zirconia nanoparticles to the mix enhances slip-resistant hydrophilic effects. Jennifer Ouellette Feb 4, 2025 11:07 am | 1 Close-up of a Tokay gecko's toe pads. Credit: Yi Song Close-up of a Tokay gecko's toe pads. Credit: Yi Song Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreGecko feet have inspired many intriguing applications, including a sticky tape, adhesives, a "stickybot" climbing robot, and even a strapless bra design. Now, scientists have developed a new kind of anti-slip polymer that sticks to ice, inspired by the humble gecko. Incorporating these polymers into shoe soles could reduce the number of human slip-and-fall injuries, according to a paper published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.As previously reported, geckos are known for being expert climbers; they're able to stick to any surface thanks to tiny hair-like structures on the bottoms of their feet. Those microscopic hairs are called setae, each of which splits off into hundreds of even smaller bristles called spatulae. It has long been known that at microscopic size scales, the so-called van der Waals forcesthe attractive and repulsive forces between two dipole moleculesbecome significant.Essentially, the tufts of tiny hairs on gecko feet get so close to the contours in walls and ceilings thatelectrons from the gecko hair molecules and electrons from the wall molecules interact with each other and create an electromagnetic attraction. That's whatenables geckos to climb smooth surfaces like glass effortlessly. Spiders, cockroaches, beetles, bats, tree frogs, and lizards all have varying-sized sticky footpads that use these same forces.Geckos and their unusual feet have long been of great interest to scientists. In 2013, for instance, researchers designed a reusable dry adhesive inspired by the gecko's feet that easily stuck to smooth surfaces, adhering strongly when pushed forward and sliding off when pulled backward. In 2020, Berkeley scientists investigatedwhy soft, hairy gecko toes only "stick" in one direction. And in 2022, scientists found that gecko feet are coated with an ultra-thin layer of lipid molecules in an upright orientation. This might serve to push away any water beneath the spatulae, allowing the spatulae to make closer contact with the surface, thereby helping the geckos maintain their grip on wet surfaces.Just add zirconia nanoparticles... Credit: V. Richhariya et al., 2025 It's the "hydrophilic capillary-enhanced adhesion"of gecko feet that most interested the authors of this latest paper. Per the World Health Organization, 684,000 people die and another 38 million are injured every year in slips and falls, with correspondingly higher health care costs. Most antislip products (crampons, chains, studs, cleats), tread designs, or materials (fiberglass, carbon fiber, rubber) are generally only effective for specific purposes or short periods of time. And they often don't perform as well on wet ice, which has a nanoscale quasi-liquid layer (QLL) that makes it even more slippery.So Vipin Richhariya of the University of Minho in Portugal and co-authors turned to gecko toe pads (as well as those of toads) for a better solution. To get similar properties in their silicone rubber polymers, they added zirconia nanoparticles, which attract water molecules. The polymers were rolled into a thin film and hardened, and then a laser etched groove patterns onto the surfaceessentially creating micro cavities that exposed the zirconia nanoparticles, thus enhancing the material's hydrophilic effects.Infrared spectroscopy and simulated friction tests revealed that the composites containing 3 percent and 5 percent zirconia nanoparticles were the most slip-resistant. "This optimized composite has the potential to change the dynamics of slip-and-fall accidents, providing a nature-inspired solution to prevent one of the most common causes of accidents worldwide," the authors concluded. The material could also be used for electronic skin, artificial skin, or wound healing.DOI: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 2025. 10.1021/acsami.4c14496 (About DOIs).Jennifer OuelletteSenior WriterJennifer OuelletteSenior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer 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. 1 Comments

Ugh Sick right now? Flu is resurging to yet a higher peak this season. Few seasons see two peaks at such high intensity. Beth Mole Feb 4, 2025 10:56 am | 6 HUNTINGTON PARK-CA-AUGUST 28, 2024: Vaccinations are available at CVS in Huntington Park on August 28, 2024. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Credit: Getty | Christina House HUNTINGTON PARK-CA-AUGUST 28, 2024: Vaccinations are available at CVS in Huntington Park on August 28, 2024. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images) Credit: Getty | Christina House Story textSizeSmallStandardLargeWidth *StandardWideLinksStandardOrange* Subscribers only Learn moreWhile H5N1 bird flu ratchets up anxiety and egg prices, seasonal influenza viruses are rallying to a second high this winter, an uncommon course not seen in most years.Flu cases had previously peaked this season at the very end of December. At week 52ending on December 28the percentage of outpatient visits related to influenza-like illnesses (ILI) hit about 6.76 percent, then ticked down the first week of 2025 (week 1). The percentage of ILI visits is the standard metric for tracking flu activity, which tends to peak at around 7 percent or lower in a given season. The 20092010 flu seasonwhen the novel H1N1 (aka swine flu) emergedstands out for hitting a decades' high of 7.7 very early in the season (week 42). Credit: CDC While ILI visits continued to decline in week 2 of this year, things took a turn in week 3. In the latest data for week 4ending on January 25the ILI visits are back up to about 6.95 percent. Few flu seasons have two peaks, particularly at such high intensities. A notable exception was the 20192020 flu season, which had three peaks: 7 percent at week 52, 6.8 percent at week 6, and 6.4 percent at week 12. After that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and influenza activity plummeted below baseline levels. The 20202021 flu season was essentially nonexistent, with ILI activity staying well below baseline for the entire season.Currently, flu activity is categorized as "very high" in 29 states, and "high" in 15. States in the South are ablaze with flu. Louisiana, Tennessee, and South Carolina are at the highest "very high" level. But parts of the Northeast corridor are also seeing extremely high activity, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and New York City. Credit: CDC As often is the case in flu seasons, the age group hardest hit this year are children ages 0 to 4. The CDC recorded 16 pediatric deaths linked to flu in week 4 of the season, bringing the season's total pediatric deaths to 47.Overall hospitalizations are up. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 20 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations, and 11,000 deaths from flu so far this season. About 44 percent of US adults have gotten their flu shot, far below the public health goal of 70 percent.Laboratory surveillance of influenza cases in week 4 indicates that nearly all of the cases are from influenza A viruses, about an even split between H1N1 and H3N2, which has been the case over the course of the season. Around 2 percent of cases were the influenza B Victoria lineage.Beth MoleSenior Health ReporterBeth MoleSenior Health Reporter Beth is Ars Technicas Senior Health Reporter. Beth has a Ph.D. in microbiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and attended the Science Communication program at the University of California, Santa Cruz. She specializes in covering infectious diseases, public health, and microbes. 6 Comments