In a new essay on his personal blog, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said the company is open to a compute budget, among other strange-sounding ideas, to enable everyone on Earth to use a lot of AI and ensure the benefits of the technology are widely distributed.The historical impact of technological progress suggests that most of the metrics we care about (health outcomes, economic prosperity, etc.) get better on average and over the long-term, but increasing equality does not seem technologically determined and getting this right may require new ideas, Altman wrote. In particular, it does seem like the balance of power between capital and labor could easily get messed up, and this may require early intervention. Solutions to this problem, like Altmans compute budget concept, may be easier to propose than execute. Already, AI is impacting the labor market, resulting in job cuts and departmental downsizing. Experts have warned that mass unemployment is a possible outcome of the rise of AI tech if not accompanied by the right government policies and reskilling and upskilling programs.Not for the first time, Altman claims that artificial general intelligence (AGI) which he defines as [an AI] system that can tackle increasingly complex problems, at human level, in many fields is near. Whatever form it takes, this AGI wont be perfect, Altman warns, in the sense that it may require lots of human supervision and direction[AGI systems] will not have the biggest new ideas, Altman wrote, and it will be great at some things but surprisingly bad at others.But the real value from AGI will come from running these systems on a massive scale, Altman asserted. Similar to OpenAI rival Anthropics CEO, Dario Amodei, Altman envisions thousands or even millions of hyper-capable AI systems tackling tasks in every field of knowledge work. One might assume thatll be an expensive vision to realize. Indeed, Altman observed that you can spend arbitrary amounts of money and get continuous and predictable gains in AI performance. Thats perhaps why OpenAI is reportedly in talks to raise up to $40 billion in a funding round, and has pledged to spend up to $500 billion with partners on an enormous data network.Yet Altman also makes the case that the cost to use a given level of AI falls about 10x every 12 months. In other words, pushing the boundary of AI technology wont get cheaper, but users will gain access to increasingly capable systems along the way.Capable, inexpensive AI models from Chinese AI startup DeepSeek and others seem to support that notion. Theres evidence to suggest that training and development costs are coming down, as well, but both Altman and Amodei have argued that massive investments will be required to achieve AGI-level AI and beyond.As for how OpenAI plans to release AGI-level systems (assuming it can, in fact, create them), Altman said that the company will likely make some major decisions and limitations related to AGI safety that will be unpopular. OpenAI once pledged that it would commit to stopping competing with and start assisting any value-aligned, safety-conscious project that comes close to building AGI before it does, out of concern for safety.Of course, that was when OpenAI intended to remain a nonprofit. The company is in the process of converting its corporate structure into that of a more traditional, profit-driven org. OpenAI reportedly aims to reach $100 billion in revenue by 2029, equal to Target and Nestles current annual sales.This being the case, Altman added that OpenAIs goal as it builds more powerful AI will be to trend more towards individual empowerment while forestalling AI being used by authoritarian governments to control their population through mass surveillance and loss of autonomy. Altman recently said that he thinks OpenAI has been on the wrong side of history when it comes to open-sourcing its technologies. While OpenAI has open-sourced tech in the past, the company has generally favored a proprietary, closed-source development approach.AI will seep into all areas of the economy and society; we will expect everything to be smart, Altman said. Many of us expect to need to give people more control over the technology than we have historically, including open-sourcing more, and accept that there is a balance between safety and individual empowerment that will require trade-offs.Altmans blog post comes ahead of this weeks AI Action Summit in Paris, which has already prompted other tech notables to outlinetheir ownvisionsfor AIs future.In a footnote, Altman added that OpenAI does not, in fact, plan to end its relationship with close partner and investor Microsoft anytime soon by using the term AGI. Microsoft and OpenAI reportedly had a contractual definition of AGI AI systems that can generate $100 billion in profits that would, once met, allow OpenAI to negotiate more favorable investment terms. Altman said, however, that OpenAI fully expect[s] to be partnered with Microsoft for the long term.

The Steinert Building on Boylston Street in Boston is one of the citys most iconic and mysterious buildings. The Beaux Arts style building was constructed in 1894 from plans by architects Winslow & Wetherell and contained three floors of display rooms, three floors of teaching studios and practice rooms. The building is arguably best-known for the 650-seat Steinert Hall, a basement concert hall constructed 35 under ground and considered by some to be one of the most perfect concert halls, acoustically, in the U.S. The building was constructed as the national headquarters for the prestigious firm of M. Steinert & Sons, one of the largest and finest music stores in New England. Established in 1860 by Morris Steinert, a Bavarian musician, musical instrument collector and founder of the New Haven Symphony (originally Steinerts Family Orchestra). The company was expanded under his second son, Alexander Steinert, who had the Steinert Building in Boston built, requiring a music hall to showcase musicians and their products. The subterranean concert hall closed in the 1940s, following the 1942 Cocoanut Grove fire, the third-deadliest building fire in American history, which resulted in deaths of 492 people. This tragedy inspired an entirely new set of building and fire codes throughout the city; which ultimately would close Steinert Hall, as it had only one means of egress, making it too cost-prohibitive to bring the theatre into compliance.The building was long-operated as a piano showroom, but closed in 2017 and has been vacant ever-since. The basement music hall remains frozen in time, awaiting a new life.

Flyalone - AdobeNewsGovernment opens up bidding for AI growth zonesAs part of its AI opportunities action plan, the government is encouraging local authorities to put in bids for AI growth zonesByCliff Saran,Managing EditorPublished: 10 Feb 2025 0:01 The government is inviting local and regional authorities across the country to bid to become one of the UKs artificial intelligence (AI) growth zones.The plan to develop AI growth zones is part of Labours 50-point AI opportunities action plan policy, and is focused on speeding up planning permission for AI-led initiatives.At the end of January, science minister Patrick Vallance announced the Culham AI growth zone and his ambition for the so-called Oxford-Cambridge arc which covers Oxford, Milton Keynes and Cambridge to become a region for tech innovation. We are already putting billions behind the Oxford-Cambridge region through East-West Rail, the Culham AI growth zone, and our record-breaking backing for UK R&D, he said.Following Culham, the government now plans to focus on developing AI growth zones in deindustrialised areas of the country. It has encouraged local and regional authorities to submit their proposals, including sites with existing access to power or that would be suitable to establish major energy infrastructure.Secretary of state for science, innovation and technology Peter Kyle said: These new AI growth zones will deliver untold opportunities sparking new jobs, fresh investment and ensuring every corner of the country has a real stake in our AI-powered future.Were leaving no stone unturned in how we can harness expertise from all over the UK to deliver new opportunities, fresh growth, better public services and cement our position as an AI pioneer, and thats the message I will be sending to international partners and AI companies at the AI Action Summit.The governments goal is to encourage energy companies and datacentre developers to provide the infrastructure needed to drive forward the roll-out of AI growth zones. It has committed to speeding up planning permission to build out AI infrastructure quickly, which means building out datacentre capacity and providing the energy capacity the power-hungry servers in these datacentres need to run AI workloads. It said it will be working with network operators to scale each zone to 500MW+, which is enough to power roughly two million homes.The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) plans to assess proposals from energy providers and datacentre firms to help inform the final selection of sites and broader policy decisions, which are expected later this year.The government has already received interest in developing AI growth zones in Scotland, Wales, and north-east and north-west England.Those involved in bidding and encouraging bidding for AI growth zone status see opportunities to inject new investment and attract skills.Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill said: Scotland is already at the centre of these plans, with our world-leading universities at the forefront of AI development and our industrial heritage providing a range of possible sites. I would encourage our local authorities to explore becoming an AI growth zone, which will help attract further investment.Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen hopes to attract people with high tech skills to work in the region. My job, above everything, is to bring good, well-paid, long-term jobs to local people. We have everything we need to host an AI growth zone in our region. We have the land, we have the power and we have shown in our efforts at Teesworks how we can get huge projects moving forward at pace, he said.One of the ongoing challenges facing the UK as it pivots to a high-tech-led industrial strategy is that while there are plenty of great ideas and startups with innovative products, scaling these commercially is a major barrier. Earlier this month, witness statements published in the latest edition of the AI and creative technology scaleup report for the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee described the UK as terrible place to scale up startup businesses.Read more about Labours AI strategyMajor obstacles facing Labours AI opportunities action plan: Skills, data held in legacy tech and a lack of leadership are among the areas discussed during a recent Public Accounts Committee session.Disjointed industrial strategy a barrier to UK scaleup success: The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee calls on Labour to join up piecemeal initiatives and cut bureaucracy.In The Current Issue:Forrester: Why digitisation needs strong data engineering skillsLabours first digital government strategy: Is it dj vu or something new?Download Current IssueSLM series: Editorial brief & scope CW Developer NetworkWill Skills England be allowed to change the course of the Government's inherited policy Titanic? When IT Meets PoliticsView All Blogs

Even in 2025, Sony's Bravia X90L remains one of the best-quality TVs for its price point. The best part is that Best Buy has all five size options discounted.

ZDNETThough we're well past the holiday deals season, don't worry. Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are still dishing out some serious savings on top tech, even a week before Presidents' Day 2024.Also:The best early Amazon Presidents' Day tech deals live nowFrom AirPods to the Oura Ring to Samsung's popular The Terrace TV, now's your chance to snag savings that are near or equal to those we saw during Cyber Week 2024 on flagship Amazon devices, Apple products and more. I scoured the sales to bring you the best early Presidents' Day deals live now, so you can shop savings starting as early as right now.Shop more deals at AmazonThe best Presidents' Day dealsOura Ring Gen3: Starting at $299 (save up to $100 at Oura): The Oura Ring Gen4 is here, but the Gen3 model is still a great pick if you're looking for insightful sleep and fitness tracking that's still stylish. Oura is offering several finishes of the Horizon Gen3 model for up to $100 off.Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra + Free $200 Amazon Gift Card: $1,420 (save $200 at Amazon): You can still snag this free $200Amazon gift card offerwhen you purchase the new Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, which expert Kerry Wan says is Samsung'sbest phone yet.Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler: $500 (save $100 at Amazon): Dyson's popularAirwrap stylerbundle is available for $100 off for the first time since Black Friday. Plus, this deal is on the limited edition strawberry pink model, and expert Sabrina Ortiz says it's well worth the investment.Shark FlexStyle Hair Styler: $250 (save $50 at Best Buy): If you're not convinced of the Dyson Airwrap's price even with a discount, Shark's flagship competitor is on sale for under $300.Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $169 (save $80 at Best Buy): Apple's Watch SE (2nd Gen) is finallyseeing a decent discountfor 2025, and is back down to $169. Right now, it's still the most affordableApple Watchout of the whole lineup, and is a great options for kids, elderly users, or first-time watch owners.Apple AirPods Pro 2: $169 (save $80 at Walmart): TheAirPods Pro 2are our pick for the best AirPods you can buy, and can turn into a hearing aid -- and they'reon saleahead right now at the lowest price we've seen since Black Friday. Plus, the newest AirPods 4 are down to $100 (save $30) for the first time ever.Apple AirTag 4-Pack: $70 (save $29 at Amazon): Perhaps one of ZDNET's favorite recurring deals of all-time, right now you cansave 29% on a four pack of Apple's handy AirTag trackers, which make finding your keys, wallet, purse, and more easier. Plus, this offer matches the lowest price this bundle typically sells for throughout the year, so you can't go wrong.Sonos Beam Gen 2 Soundbar: $399 (save $100 at Best Buy): The Sonos Beam Gen 2soundbarwill hook you up with Dolby Atmos for an immersive sound experience, and right now it's only 20% off. The Sonos Era 100 smart speaker is on sale for 20% off, too, and it's one ofexpert Maria Diaz's favorites.Dreame X40 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $1,100 (save $800 at Dreame): ZDNET's pick for the best robot vacuum is on sale for nearly half off right now, andexpert Maria Diaz loves itfor its great mapping capabilities and 12,000Pa suction.Apple Watch Series 10 GPS, 46mm: $359 (save $70 at Best Buy): The newestbase model Apple Watch is discounted by almost 20%, matching the offers available during Black Friday. This model is equipped with GPS and an always-on retina display, and is available in three colors. Shop the42mm model for $70 off, too.The best Presidents' Day tech deals Kerry Wan/ZDNETAmazon Kindle Paperwhite (2024): $135 (save $25 at Amazon): The newestKindle Paperwhitemodel is on sale for 16% off, snagging you a few dollars off, 25% faster page turns than the previous iteration, and a higher contrast ratio.Amazon Kindle Colorsoft: $230 (save $50 at Amazon): If you're not eyeing the Paperwhite, the newKindle Colorsoftis also on sale for 18% off. The Colorsoft features a bright display (even in direct sunlight), customizable color settings, and a "zippy performance" while browsing titles and turning pages, per ZDNET expert Allison Murray.Apple AirPods Max (Lightning): $500 (save $50 at Best Buy): The lightning iteration of Apple's popular AirPods Max headphones are on sale at Best Buy for $50 off. Plus, swipe up theUSB-C model for $530, a slight savings of $20.Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen): $169 (save $80): The SE (2nd Gen) did not get an upgrade this year as rumored, but it's still the most affordable Apple Watch on the market, and it's finally back down to its lowest price ever at Best Buy.Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet: $140 (save $40 at Amazon): Expert Maria Diaz loves Amazon's kids tablets for their affordability and great features, and the HD 10 Pro is no difference. In fact, shesays its a better buy than an iPadfor her kids, and it's 26% off now.Apple MacBook Air 15-inch, M3: $`1,099 (save $200 at Amazon): Apple's MacBook series are pretty pricey, but right now you can grab the 15-inch M3 Air model for $200 off.Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4: $1,099 (save $200 at Amazon): The most powerful iPad on the market is on sale for 15% off right now, and expert Kerry Wan was pleasantlysurprised with its performancecompared to his MacBook.Blink Mini 2 Indoor Cam: $20 (save $20 at Best Buy):Blink's Mini 2cams feature two-way audio, motion detection, HD night view in color and more, and they're great for watching your home, kids, pets and more.Renpho Eye Massager: $52 (save $48 at Amazon): ZDNET's expert Allison Murrayloves this Renpho eye massagerto help her migraines, and right now it's on sale for 48% off.Apple Pencil Pro: $99 (save $20 at Best Buy): The newest ApplePencil Prois on sale for $30 off, but Apple products don't see discounts often, and this is the best price you can nab right now for this model, especially if you're looking to pair it with a 2024 iPad Pro.iPad 10th Gen: $279 (save $70 at Best Buy): This $279 iPad deal is the model editor-in-chief Jason Hinerrecommends to most people, and it's 20% off.The best Presidents' Day headphones deals Jada Jones/ZDNETSony WH-1000XM4 Headphones: $248 (save $100 at Best Buy): TheSony XM4headphones are not the newest model to hit the market, but they're still a great purchase if you're looking for premium sound. Right now you can save 29%.Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: $200 (save $50 at Best Buy): If you prefer Android gear, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are also on sale. Swipe up this pair for 20% off and grab top features like noise cancellation, real time interpretation, sound optimization and more.Beats Solo Buds: $50 (save $40 at Amazon): Save 38% on this already great budget pair of Beats earbuds. These feature a built-in mic and are Apple or Android compatible, so you'll be able to use them with any of your favorite devices.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: $349 (save $80 at Bose): Expert reviewer Prakhar Khannaprefers the QuietComfort Ultraheadphones over the popular Sony XM5's for traveling, and right now they're $100 off, selling for the same price we saw during Black Friday.Beats Solo4 Headphones: $100 (save $100 at Best Buy): The upgraded model of Beats' classic Solo headphone are 50% off now, andexpert Jada Jones saysthe pair got some nice upgrades while still retaining all the nostalgia.Sony Ult Headphones: $148 (save $52 at Amazon): Headphone expert JadaJones saysthese eased her Sony XM5 envy with all-day comfort and plenty of bass. Right now, they're on sale for 26% off.Sony WH-CH720N: $88 (save $62 at Amazon): Expert JadaJones saysthese Sony headphones are almost as good as the XM5 model, but will cost you under $100 right now.Amazon Echo Buds (2nd Gen): $55 (save $85 at Amazon): These budget buds are worth a mention thanks to their handy Alexa compatibility and their 71% off price.Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds: $249 (save $50 at Amazon): ZDNET readers snag these Bose earbuds quick when they go on sale, and for good reason. Expert Nina Raemont calls these "the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market," and right now they're $70 off.Beats Studio Pro Headphones: $180 (save $170 at Best Buy): Audio expert Jada Jones says the Beats Studio Pro headphones are the perfect middle-ground pair for most listeners, and right now, they're nearly half off.The best Presidents' Day TV deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETAmazon Fire TV Stick 4K: $30 (save $20 at Amazon): Amazon's newest flagship Fire TV Stick 4K model is 40% off now. Streamline your viewing experience and maximize your favorite shows and movies at home. TheMax modelof the Fire Stick is also on sale.Sony 85-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Google TV: $998 (save $500 at Amazon): This Sony smart Google TV is packed with features like Google Assistant, Apple Airplay, Motionflow XR technology, 4K picture quality and more.Amazon Fire TV 50-inch Omni Series 4K Smart TV: $310 (save $170 at Amazon): There's plenty of budget TV picks on sale, too, like this 50-inch hands-free smart TV that's Alexa compatible and 35% off.Roku Smart TV 32-inch TV: $128 (save $42 at Amazon): This Roku TV is equipped with Roku Voice and a customizable home screen. Right now it's 25% off, making it a great budget buy for a dorm room, kids' room and more.Samsung The Terrace Partial Sun 75-inch Class QLED 4K TV: $5,000 (save $1,000 at Best Buy): Samsung's popular The Terrace TV is $1,500 off right now, and is the perfect pick for an outdoor setting thanks to its weatherproof design.Insignia 32-inch Smart HD Fire TV: $80 (save $70 at Amazon): This frugal Insignia 32-inch TV deal is back again. Grab a smart Fire TV for under $100 that's perfect for a dorm and more.Samsung 65-inch The Frame 4K Smart TV: $1,285 (save $713 at Walmart): Samsung's popular The Frame TV is on sale, too. Grab the 65-inch model for under $1,300, and enjoy crisp viewing with beautiful aesthetics.Amazon Fire TV 50-inch: $300 (save $150 at Amazon): This TV has just about 40,000 reviews and a 4.5/5 star rating on Amazon, and it's 33% off now. You can't go wrong with a classic Fire TV packed with features like Alexa, 4K viewing, and live TV without cable.The best Presidents' Day robot vacuum deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETiRobot Roomba j7: $300 (save $300 at Amazon): If you're like expert Maria Diaz and love the idea of your floors being cleaned by someone, orsomethingelse, you can't go wrong with this deal. The Roomba j7 is a robot vacuum that intelligently maps and navigates your home, avoiding obstacles like cords and pet waste. This 50% discount is available for a limited time, resulting in a $300 discount.Dreame X30 Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $750 (save $950 at Dreame): The Dreame X30 Ultra was ZDNET's top pick for the best 2-in-1 robot vacuum and mop, dethroned only by its successor,the X40 Ultra. The Dreame X30 Ultra features 8,300Pa of suction power, dual oscillating mop pads with an extendable function, and a hands-free charging station with self-emptying and self-washing capabilities.Eufy Robot 11S Max: $150 (save $100 with coupon at Amazon): If you want a straightforward robot vacuum, the Eufy BoostIQ 11S Max is a perfect option, especially at this price. It's very simple -- it vacuums in a random pattern, has to be manually self-emptied, and doesn't connect to the internet. But don't be fooled by its simplicity; this vacuum is powerful enough to pick up dirt, dust, and pet hair and can run for 100 minutes on a single charge.Roborock Q7 Max+ Robot Vacuum + Mop: $360 (save $510 at Roborock): For a limited time, you can snag the Roborock Q7 Max+ for $360. As a vacuum mop combo, this machine features 4,200Pa suction power and 300g mopping pressures, promising a smooth and efficient clean. With its self-empty dock, you can have hands-free vacuuming for up to seven weeks. Thanks to Roborock's PreciSense LiDAR Navigation, you can rest assured that this robot vacuum will clean where it's supposed to and when it's supposed to.Roborock S8 Max Ultra Robot Vacuum + Mop: $1,000 (save $600 at Roborock): One of the best two-in-one machines on the market, the Roborock S8 Max Ultra is now $1,000. It's a pretty penny, but expert Maria Diaz says the simplicity and efficiency make this robot worth the money. You could fill the clean water tank, empty the dirty water tank, and set a schedule to tackle your home without having to do anything for a couple of days.Ecovacs Deebot T20 Omni Robot Vacuum and Mop: $441 (save $649 at Best Buy): This Ecovas robot vacuum and mop combo is on clearance, available for nearly $700 off as Best Buy clears shelves for newer models. And this model isn't lacking features either -- it features its own self-washing auto emptying capabilities.Roborock S8 Pro Vacuum and Mop: $900 (save $700 at Roborock): Another great offer at Roborock, this S8 Pro combo model comes with its RockDock and offers 6,000Pa of suction to clean up messy floors with ease.The best Presidents' Day home deals Maria Diaz/ZDNETRing Battery Doorbell: $60 (save $40 at Best Buy): The newest 2024 Ring battery doorbell is 40% off now, and features head-to-toe video, two-way talk, and full motion detection.Anker Solix C1000 Power Station: $429 (save $500 at Amazon): This Anker power station can fully charge in 48 minutes and is perfect for power outages, home backups, and camping. Right now it's 57% off.Anker Solix C200 Power Station: $100 (save $70 at Amazon): Need a smaller power option? The Anker Solix C200 is 41% off and is perfect for emergencies, camping, car travel, and more.Blink Video Doorbell: $33 (save $27 at Amazon): Blink's video doorbell features two-way audio, HD video, motion and chime alerts, and more, and right now it's 45% off.Ring Floodlight Cam Wired Plus: $150 (save $50 at Amazon): This outdoor cam from Ring offers 1080p HD video and is great for equipping your home with added security. Right now, it's 25% off. TheRing Spotlight CamandSpotlight Cam Pro, which expert Maria Diaz loves forher home, is also on sale for 24% off.Ring Wired Doorbell Pro: $180 (save $50 at Best Buy): This Ring wired doorbell option is 22% off right now, and it's ZDNET's top pick for the best wired Ring doorbell. When is Presidents' Day? Presidents' Day is always celebrated on the third Monday of February. This year, it falls on Feb. 17, just a few days after Valentine's Day. Show more How did we choose these deals? ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy -- devices and products we desire, need, or would recommend. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. Show more When will these deals expire? Deals are subject to sell out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on a deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you atZDNET.com. Show more Does Amazon have a Presidents' Day sale? Yes, Amazon does offer significantsales and discountsahead of Presidents' Day 2024. In fact, many of the retail giant's Presidents' Day deals are already live with sales underway, overlapping with the Amazon Valentine's Day discounts. With less than a week between the two holidays, there's lots of savings to be had for consumers. Show more ZDNET Recommends

Neurological illness can be devastating. One disease that affects the brain is stroke, occurring when the blood supply to the brain in blocked and often resulting in speech, motor or memory impairment. This affects over 6 million in the U.S.Could the rhythm from playing a guitar make a difference in stroke?As a student in music therapy at the University of Maine, Brian Harris became intrigued with the ability of rhythm and music to change the brain. He wanted to make a difference for the patients he saw. He was watching a session with a wheelchair bound boy with neurological deficiencies including the inability to talk and cognitive impairment. But within minutes of the music therapy session beginning, the child began to improve. Family members who were present teared up. It was quite a profound moment to witness says Brian, who realized that his mission to figure out how this happened and scale to help other patients.Studio still life of a 1962 Gibson J-160E acoustic guitar owned by George Harrison and used in The ... [+] Beatles, photographed in the United Kingdom. (Photo by Nigel Osbourne/Redferns)RedfernsHe went on to start the first program to treat stroke and brain injury with music interventions at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. Using Rhythmic Auditory Stimulation (RAS), he was able to help patients relearn how to walk with speed, and symmetry. He would often work alongside the physical therapist with his guitar. Time and time again, RAS improved (patients) dramatically, outpacing their recovery from other treatment options.The demand for intervention became higher, within the hospital as well as for outpatient care with many family members asking Brian for continued care after discharge. With goals to improve access to this treatment for many more patients, he partnered up with Owen McCarthy to find a way to deliver this digitally.The InTandem innovation pulls together a sophisticated platform of software, hardware controllers, sensor and a headset that delivers RAS via user preferred music. With commitment and years of hard work, it is now available via a prescription for those with stroke related gait impairment. The founders hope to enable access to all patients, especially the 3.5 million chronic stroke survivors living with this disability and were recently able to get a unique billing code by CMS. MedRhythms has recently partnered with Lovell Government Services to support veterans and military personnel.MORE FOR YOUUsing sound data to innovate medical tools:Sound and rhythm have great potential in healthcare. Another company to realize this is Lapsi Health. By utilizing sound and photoplethysmography (PPG) in the form of a wireless and digital stethoscope for clinicians, and converting this data to new digital biomarkers, the hope is to impact early and precise diagnosis.The initial product, Keikku, is an integration of software and hardware in a handheld listening device, similar to a stethoscope, which utilizes AI to standardize interpretation of auscultatory sounds, providing important insights into diagnosis. Some examples of use cases include asthma exacerbations in children, COPD in adults and outpatient heart failure monitoring. In addition, this device can record the sound data as well as integrate it into EHRs for easy access to it later. This allows the data to be shared and streamed across teams for collaborative decision making during rounds or with consultants" states Dr Jhonatan Bringas Dimitriadis MD, CEO at Lapsi Health. Often, complex lung and cardiac cases need multiple specialists to be involved in care and this opportunity can help in sharing of crucial information.With the potential of augmenting remote care for patients as well as telehealth, the co-founders are especially excited to make impact in the disparities that currently exist, especially in rural areas. "Keikku has the potential to bridge gaps in care, enabling healthcare providers to reach patients in underserved areas said Dr Diana van Stijn, Chief Medical Officer at Lapsi Health. We hope to not only advance medical technology but improve equity in healthcare access.Sound Innovation Impacting the Progress of Brain DiseaseSound technology can certainly make a difference in health, but can it help reduce the progression of disease? Our brain emits gamma waves in a certain rhythm and frequency. Recent research has shown that the rhythm of gamma waves in our brain can have an important impact on the many functions of the brain including cognition, memory and executive function. Interestingly recent research has found that in neurodegenerative diseases, this frequency is disrupted. MIT Professors Ed Boyden and Li-Huei Tsai, in preclinical research, found that if gamma waves through non-invasive stimulation, were put back into baseline frequency, it could slow down the process in certain brain diseases such as Alzheimers. Fast forward to the Overture study, and the results look hopeful. In this study, patients in the intervention arm experienced 69% slowing of brain volume loss (MRI) and 77% slowing of functional decline (ADCS-ADL) compared to the control group, without serious treatment-limiting side effects.A patient recieves audiovisual studyCognitotxBecause the treatment can be delivered at home, SpectrisTM, an audiovisual stimulation combining sound and light therapy, can allow access to vulnerable populations such as those who might live far from academic centers. By restoring gamma rhythms, this technology assists the brain to activate genes and proteins that help preserve its structure and function. Data analytics are also incorporated so that each device is personalized to the patient based on unique individual brain response. Aiming for accessibility, the device is easy to use at home with an intuitive headset to help usability.This technology (Spectris) uses physics to generate brain gamma rhythms essential for normal brain health and to potentially restore brain functions and structures affected by aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimers, said Ralph Kern, MD MHSc, Cognitos Chief Medical Officer. Our goal is to fulfill the promise of delivering a safe, effective, and cost-effective home-based therapy that improves the lives of patients and their families.As we move forward to help patients in getting the best health possible, new technologies that utilize sound and rhythm remain a key part in this frontier.

The studys results underscore that treating northern and southern Atlantic mako populations as ... [+] distinct is not just a fisheries policy decisionits a necessity backed by genetic evidence.gettyShortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are the fastest sharks in the sea, but theyre failing to outpace the very thing driving them toward extinction: overfishing. Global demand for their meat and valuable fins has placed this predator on the International Union for Conservation of Natures endangered list and on Appendix II of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The situation is particularly dire in the Atlantic, where populations are managed as two separate stocks. Fishery-based assessments indicate that northern Atlantic makos are overfished, but independent satellite-tagging studies suggest that actual fishing mortality may be ten times higher than previous estimates. With mounting pressure from international fisheries, scientists are questioning whether shortfin makos still have the genetic resilience to adapt and whether the current management strategy of treating them as two populations is scientifically sound.A new study led by Dr. Andrea Bernard and Professor Mahmood Shivji from the Save Our Seas Foundation Shark Research Center (SOSF-SRC) and Guy Harvey Institute at Nova Southeastern University provides crucial answers to these questions. Published in Evolutionary Applications, the work represents the first full-genome sequencing of mitochondrial DNA and high-resolution scans of nuclear DNA from shortfin makos across nearly the entire Atlantic range. These genetic assessments have revealed a surprising (and what some say is a hopeful) finding: despite decades of heavy fishing pressure, shortfin makos still exhibit relatively high genetic diversity. This is very important, because genetic diversity helps species adapt to environmental changes and survive catastrophic events. Shivji explains that while overfishing is the biggest threat to sharks worldwide, many species also face additional dangers from habitat loss, deep-sea mining, pollution, and climate change. The fact that shortfin makos have maintained genetic diversity means they may still have the ability to adaptbut only if overfishing is halted before their populations are pushed past the point of recovery.Typically, in most of the exploited shark species we study we see pretty low diversity, says Shivji. We were rather surprised, but also pleased, to see that the genetic health of shortfin makos does not appear to have been severely compromisedyetby the population reductions caused by overfishing. [] That means that if we can prevent further erosion of this genetic diversity in shortfin mako sharks by urgently curbing overfishing, we have more hope for this species to retain the resilience needed for its populations to adapt to our fast-changing climate and survive.The fact that shortfin makos have maintained genetic diversity means they may still have the ability ... [+] to adaptbut only if overfishing is halted before their populations are pushed past the point of recovery. This finding is particularly striking when compared to other exploited shark species. Many, like the critically endangered great hammerhead, have alarmingly low genetic diversity, making them even more vulnerable to extinction.GettyThe research team also found that shortfin makos, known for their vast oceanic migrations, mix freely across the Atlantic. High-resolution scans of nuclear DNA (inherited from both parents) confirm that male makos do, in fact, range widely and spread their genes across the Atlantic. However, the mitochondrial DNA passed down only through mothers tells a different story. It reveals that female shortfin makos exhibit a strong matrilineal structure, meaning that while they may travel extensively, they return to specific areas within their hemisphere to give birth. This confirms that the northern and southern Atlantic populations are genetically distinct, and reinforces the need to manage them as separate stocks.With increasing loss of species genetic diversity and assessments and monitoring of genetic diversity now called for by the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity as important activities to inform national policy actions for conserving and restoring species, the genetic diversity data we report here for mako sharks provide a baseline for assessing, and future monitoring, of the genetic health of this iconic species throughout its global distribution, the team concludes in their work. While the genetic health of shortfin makos provides a rare opportunity to safeguard their future, their resilience is not infinite. Without immediate, science-based fisheries management and stronger international protections, even their remaining genetic diversity wont be enough to save them. The challenge now is ensuring that conservation measures keep pace with science before its too late for one of the oceans most iconic predators.

Since the first Mission: Impossible movie in 1996, Tom Cruises Ethan Hunt has either gone solo or kept a very close circle of friends as his team. Following the events of Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning, Ethans team lost one member and gained another. And in the newly released Super Bowl trailer for Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning, Ethans team is adding two more unexpected members.Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning | Big Game Spot (2025 Movie) - Tom CruiseLuther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) have been around for multiple movies, while Dead Reckoning introduced a thief named Grace (Hayley Atwell) and gave her a redemption arc that ended with her joining the IMF. The new additions are more surprising, including Paris (Pom Klementieff), an assassin who appeared to be mortally wounded at the end of the last film. Apparently Paris is going to get some redemption of her own after working for Gabriel (Esai Morales) in the previous film.Recommended VideosThe other new team member is Degas (Greg Tarzan Davis), a character who will be introduced in The Final Reckoning. Degas has his own reasons for aligning himself with Ethan even though it may leave him branded as a traitor to the United States.Please enable Javascript to view this contentSeveral other characters from the previous films are also making their return in The Final Reckoning, including the White Widow, Alanna Mitsopolis (The Fantastic Four: First Steps Vanessa Kirby), CIA director Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny), CIA analyst William Donloe (Rolf Saxon), and President Erika Sloane (Angela Bassett).The Super Bowl trailer doesnt offer many story hints about the film aside from Ethans attempt to enter a sunken submarine for a weapon to use against the A.I. being known as The Entity. Theres also a glimpse of the biplane stunt at 10,000 feet in the air that caused Cruise to pass out physically while filming.Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning will hit theaters on May 23.Editors Recommendations

Two years ago, T-Mobile inked a deal with SpaceX to enable network connectivity via the Starlink constellation of satellites. Late in 2024, the carrier opened registrations for beta testing its direct-to-cell satellite service. Today, the company aired a Super Bowl ad and announced that the beta testing is now open to everyone.The coolest part is that T-Mobile will offer free access for all registrations until July. Once the beta freebie is phased out, the service will be bundled at no extra cost for subscribers on the Go5G Next plan covering individual and business customers.Recommended VideosAny T-Mobile customer, however, would be able to add the satellite service after paying $15 per month atop their existing plan. Those who register for the beta testing in February will get access to T-Mobile Starlink at a discounted rate of $10 per month.T-MobileOf course, the carrier wont miss such a ripe opportunity to lure in new customers. To that end, registrations for the new service, dubbed T-Mobile Starlink, will be open to subscribers of rival networks such as Verizon and AT&T for free. After July, they can still access the service at a $20 per month rate for each connection line.Please enable Javascript to view this contentIn the early phase, the direct-to-cell satellite network will only allow sending text messages (both person-to-person and group chats) when users are stuck in dead zones aka areas without any cell tower coverage. T-Mobile says the satellite network coverage will span an area of over half a million square miles.Down the road, as the infrastructure matures and more satellites are injected into the orbit, T-Mobile Starlink will switch from text-only message format to sending multimedia messages, as well. The company hasnt detailed the specific hardware requirements, but says T-Mobile Starlink works on most smartphones from the last four years.As the bandwidth matures, the carrier will open the doors for calling and data services, too. Looking over at the competition, Vodafone recently bagged the honor of making the first space video call over network lanes beamed from a satellite.T-Mobiles initiative is the first of its kind from a US-based carrier, even though an emergency satellite communication facility has been available for at least a couple of years, championed by the likes of Apple. The Un-carrier is taking care of that aspect, as well.T-MobileWhen users find themselves in dead zones, their phones will be able to relay Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) and receive critical alerts such as weather-related disasters. T-Mobile says this facility will be available to users across the country via its satellite network system.T-Mobile Starlink is the first and only space-based mobile network in the US. Its a massive technical achievement and an absolute game changer for ALL wireless users, says T-Mobile chief Mike Sievert. AT&T has also inked a deal with AST SpaceMobile to offer satellite-to-phone services in the near future, while Verizon is working with Skylo to deliver the convenience.T-Mobiles satellite connectivity service will launch widely in July for subscribers. As for the open beta registration phase, users will be enrolled on ongoing basis, says the company.Editors Recommendations

My ex and I married in 2004, and he asked for a divorce in 2017. I was angry at him because he had fallen in love with someone else. Looking back, he saved my life by leaving me. In 2017, my now ex-husband fell in love with another woman and asked for a divorce. We had two young children, I was a stay-at-home wife, and I fell apart. I was in therapy, I stopped drinking, I was looking inward, but I vowed to cling to this trauma to keep the blame on him. Until one day I looked around and realized he actually saved my life.I grew up with alcoholism in my homeI had grown up in a house with love and laughter and alcoholism, and I was happy, but there was sadness there. I had parents who loved me and a brother who "brothered" me, but there was dysfunction like there is in many homes. I didn't recognize anything as off when I was young, but I've learned in therapy how it has shaped my life. I'd just turned 16 in 1993 when my brother died suddenly, and the crack in my family became a crevice. We tried to fill the crevices with what we could to survive; we all changed forever.At 17, I began drinking and using drugs to numb, and those things led to more impulsive, riskier choices. I disguised my recklessness as having a good time, just like everyone else was. I was promiscuous; I made bad choices and lived with the consequences. Along the way, I grew up, adding to the invisible weight of all the traumas I didn't know I had.I got married and had a seemingly normal lifeIn 1999, I met my ex-husband while finishing up my B.A. in Writing and running the literary magazine at our college. I looked forward to finding an internship in Manhattan to complete my degree. He was completing his Master's in Education and planned on going back to his native Long Island to teach science. We fell in love, we grew up and got jobs. And then, in 2004, we got married.In 2010, I left my publishing career and became a stay-at-home mom to a 4-year-old and a 1-year-old. Even in all the chaos and joy of raising my kids, I was lonely. I started my blog, "The Mother Octopus," in 2016 to revive my writing passion. I wrote a lot: funny blog posts, true stories about kids roasting me, and other nonsense. Things were taking off. But I was using humor to mask a dark clinical depression I didn't know I was suffering from.I drank socially, like everyone else, but I drank to hide the fact that I didn't know myself and I didn't like myself. I was drinking to disappear.My husband was deeply unhappy. The lack of connection in our relationship had driven him away. I knew this in my heart, but in my head, I convinced myself this was just us. When he announced he wanted a divorce because he was in love with someone else, I was devastated. But also, this was where the magic happened.I was angryI stopped drinking a little over a year after my ex left. I knew it was finally time to get myself out of that neverending cycle of numbing, self-loathing, and shame that I felt when drinking. But just as I pulled myself out of that cycle, I entered a new one.Among the alleged stages of grief denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance are most common. My grief did not go in that order.My grief went like this: denial, ANGER, ANGER, ANGER, ANGER, ANGER, a LOT more ANGER. I was stuck there until my father died in December of 2023, and that cycle ended. My perspective on life, love, and marriage changed, and it finally brought me to acceptance. That acceptance led me to do the one thing I promised myself I'd never do. I forgave him. And I forgave myself.When my husband left, I chose to be the victim, and by holding onto my anger, he stayed the one to blame. I stayed angry for a lot of years. But luckily, I was getting to know myself in therapy, I got honest about my parts in the problem. Of course, I was hard to live with. I could no longer lie to myself. I had to take accountability and stop treating myself like a victim.I'm at peace with not having the perfect familyMy life looks different now. The perfect family I planned for is gone now we're two families, and sometimes four families, navigating many lives and ups and downs and finding our way. But I'm at peace. My ex and I get along much better now. It's better for us, and it's best for our kids.I know I can't get back the years I spent choosing anger, but I can do my best to remember that it was all on my own path to finding peace. I'll always be grateful to my ex-husband for choosing that path for me.