Shane Snider, Senior Writer, InformationWeekFebruary 19, 20254 Min ReadPhoto provided by MicrosoftTech giant Microsoft on Wednesday revealed its Majorana 1, a palm-sized topoconductor chip that uses a new type of matter as a conductor will allow quantum systems to solve incredibly complex problems.The development could pave the way for a new era of computing -- along with a new era of high-powered cyberattacks.Quantum computing uses quantum physics to solve problems that are too complex for classical bit-based computers. Businesses and governments have poured billions of dollars into quantum research, with companies and nations jockeying for the promised competitive advantage.Microsoft says its chip provides a path for quantum systems to access up to a million qubits, which would be enough power to deliver real-world solutions that could revolutionize industry, logistics, healthcare, and much more. The topoconductor, or topological superconductor, can create a new state of matter that is not solid, liquid or gas, Microsoft said in a blog post.Its one thing to discover a new state of matter, Chetan Nayak, Microsoft technical fellow, said in a statement. Its another to take advantage of it to rethink quantum computing at scale.The particles used in the chip, called Majoranas, do not exist in nature and had to be created with magnetic fields and superconductors. The exotic particles were first envisioned by Microsoft nearly 20 years ago to develop topological qubits that offered more stability and requiring less error correction. Microsoft says the resulting qubits are more stable and can be digitally controlled.Most of us grew up learning there are three main types of matter that matter: solid, liquid, and gas. Today, that changed, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in a post on X. Imagine a chip that can fit in the palm of your hand yet is capable of solving problems that even all the computers on Earth today combined could not!The breakthrough required new materials made of indium arsenide and aluminum, much of which the company designed and produced atom by atom.Whatever youre doing in the quantum space needs to have a path to a million qubits, Nayak said. If it doesnt, youre going to hit a wall before you get to the scale at which you can solve the really important problems that motivate us. We have actually worked out a path to a million.What Does One Million Qubits Buy?Microsoft says the advancement may mean that practical uses for quantum computing may be reachable in years instead of decades. Those uses could pave the way for self-healing materials that can undo corrosion or cracks, allowing for safer airplane parts or more reliable bridge construction, for instance.Any company that makes anything could just design it perfectly the first time out, Matthias Troyer, a Microsoft technical fellow, said in a statement. The quantum computer teaches the AI the language of nature so the AI can just tell you the recipe for what you want to make.Quantum holds promises to unlock world-changing advancements in medicine, agriculture, machine learning, supply chain logistics, and much more. Aside from lofty, monumental advancements, businesses can look forward to more accessible and tangible benefits of quantum computing.Business philosopher, author and speaker Anders Indset says IT leaders should embrace the idea that quantum computing will soon be a big part of operations. CIOs should be asking, What is my future business model, what are the things I can do if I could apply that additional computing power, he tells InformationWeek in a phone interview. You can envision and anticipate these types of business models... I think we are now seeing the birth of the quantum economy.Race to Get Quantum-ReadyBut quantums potential will also be attractive to threat actors.Microsofts announcement adds to the excitement created by Google when it released its own new quantum chip last year, saying commercial quantum computing applications were only five years away. IBM has teased large-scale quantum computer availability by 2033.Cybersecurity experts warn that quantum could usher in a whole new era of threats. Quantum-powered attacks could easily crack todays most sophisticated cryptography protecting critical systems. The National Institute of Standards and Technology has called for the federal government to migrate systems to post-quantum cryptography by 2035.An accelerated timeline could prove challenging to secure critical systems. A worldwide effort is already underway to deploy post-quantum cryptography (PQC) that will defend against quantums ability to quickly hack systems.If quantum computers can crack todays encryption, does that mean all our passwords, bank accounts, and national security data are at risk? Not necessarily, writes Fabrizio Micucci, a consultant with SHI International, in a LinkedIn post. Governments and organizations worldwide are developing quantum-resistant encryption methods. Microsofts breakthrough accelerates the timeline -- meaning that businesses, financial institutions, and cybersecurity firms must now prepare.Indset agrees securing quantum is now an immediate need. "The whole field of security will be lead to heavy investments in storing and securing for post quantum cryptography," he says. "This type of announcement will obviously increase the drive and the need to secure many, many critical infrastructures for quantum."Micucci believes the transition to quantum-safe encryption needs to happen within the next decade.The quantum revolution is no longer a distant dream -- its happening now, Micucci writes.Read more about:Quantum ComputingAbout the AuthorShane SniderSenior Writer, InformationWeekShane Snider is a veteran journalist with more than 20 years of industry experience. He started his career as a general assignment reporter and has covered government, business, education, technology and much more. He was a reporter for the Triangle Business Journal, Raleigh News and Observer and most recently a tech reporter for CRN. He was also a top wedding photographer for many years, traveling across the country and around the world. He lives in Raleigh with his wife and two children.See more from Shane SniderNever Miss a Beat: Get a snapshot of the issues affecting the IT industry straight to your inbox.SIGN-UPYou May Also LikeWebinarsMore WebinarsReportsMore Reports

Majorana 1, a quantum chip that relies on topological qubitsJohn Brecher/MicrosoftMicrosoft researchers say they have created topological qubits, long sought-after components for a radically different kind of quantum computer. This isnt the first time the firm has made this claim it attempted to produce these error-proof quantum bits in a similar experiment in 2023, but the results werent fully conclusive, raising doubts among colleagues in the field about whether it has fully worked this time.Topological qubits could solve one of quantum computings biggest problems: all

Extravagant influencer marketing campaigns are sparking online backlash.Poppi drew some criticism for loaning out vending machines to influencers for the Super Bowl.We spoke with marketers about how over-the-top campaigns could hurt a brand's image.A wave of anti-extravagance is afoot within the influencer marketing space and it can be a minefield for brands.Prebiotic soda company Poppi caused an online firestorm earlier this month when it made dozens of influencers an extravagant loan: Poppi-branded vending machines over Super Bowl weekend to promote its commercial during the big game.Wasteful PR packaging has been a conversation in the beauty space for years, said social media consultant Rachel Karten. Now, campaigns by brands that could be interpreted as financially or environmentally wasteful are not resonating broadly in part due to the macroeconomic climate, said Olivia McNaughten, the senior director of product marketing and partnerships at Grin.Those sensitivities can be heightened when it comes to influencers, who are supposed to be relatable, McNaughten said."It looks like the brand is essentially wining and dining an influencer for their attention," Karten added. "And the customer's like, 'well, hey, we actually buy your product. Why aren't you giving us that same treatment?'"Poppi told Business Insider that the machines were loans for Super Bowl viewing parties and would be rolling out more broadly.commented on TikTok that the machines cost $25,000 a figure Poppi said had been inflated by 60%.But even the appearance of extravagance can turn off consumers in the current polarizing cultural landscape.Tarte Cosmetics, which has thrownadditional scrutiny this year for a trip that coincided with the Los Angeles fires.'You go through the list of all the reasons why you might be canceled'In addition to the perceived wastefulness, the backlash against Poppi also stemmed from the campaign's focus on mega influencers, rather than incorporating a mix of creators with varying follower sizes, McNaughten said. A lack of diversity in the influencers Poppi tapped also played a role, said Nathan Jun Poekert, chief marketing officer of General Idea."It's really, really hard to avoid criticism on the internet right now, no matter what you do," Jun Poekert said.Brands should still enter the ring in a polarized climate, but be prepared. Before reaching out to talent, Jun Poekert said, "You go through the list of all the reasons why you might be canceled."Companies are making shifts to democratize access to influencer campaigns.Poppi told BI it would be rolling out vending machines "via events, social giveaways and nominations in the weeks to come," echoing an online apology from cofounder and chief brand officer Allison Ellsworth.In response to the California wildfires, Tarte is hosting a trip for firefighters, first responders, EMTs, police, search and rescue, volunteers, and others impacted."Everything we do is rooted in making beauty more fun, inclusive, and accessible not just for influencers, but for everyone," Tarte told BI in a statement.It's also possible that, on another level, the Poppi campaign was a win. Any visibility could be a plus for a nascent player in a market dominated by legacy brands like Coca-Cola and Pepsi that are increasingly encroaching on its territory."If I am Poppi on the brand side, to be completely honest, I am very excited about the overall results of this," Jun Poekert said. "As much as the media cycle has accelerated at a rapid pace, they are getting tons of visibility and optics from this."

Job cuts at the National Parks could make the parks less safe and less accessible, advocates say.NPS employees who had positions terminated included a wide range of roles.Advocates say the cuts could cause "disarray," especially during the busy summer season.Though they may be called "America's Best Idea," the national parks could be in trouble due to job cuts made by the Trump administration, National Park Service employees and advocates told Business Insider.Thousands of employees have been terminated between the National Park Service and the US Forest Service, both of which manage public lands, according to media reportsandDemocratic lawmakers who criticizedthe moves."These cuts are completely non-strategic," Neal Desai, pacific regional director for the National Park Conservation Association, or NPCA, told BI. "Frankly, they're an attack on the notion of 'America First.'"The White House did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment about the reason for the terminations. Previously, President Donald Trump has defended widespread cuts in the federal government, saying they're part of an effort to reduce fraud and waste.An NPCA spokesperson told BI that several parks have lost significant portions of their staff, including fee collectors and administrators who process and train seasonal staff that keep the parks running in the busy season.Workers targeted for termination represent a wide range of roles, including employees who collect entry fees, maintain park facilities, educate park visitors, and work on search and rescue operations, the spokesperson said.The National Park Service and the Department of the Interior did not respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.Desai said the cuts show "a lack of awareness of how these things play out on the ground," adding that the parks were already understaffed. According to the NPCA, park staffing has already been down 20% since 2010 despite a 16% increase in visitors.At the end of 2018, when the government shutdown affected staffing at national parks, bathrooms were locked, but because people could still enter many of the parks, visitors reported seeing piles of toilet paper near the facilities and pileups of trash. Destinations such as Joshua Tree National Park and Rocky Mountain National Park closed temporarily due to "human waste" issues, staff said on their websites at the time. Trails left unmaintained were deemed unsafe, and there were fewer emergency services to help visitors."People visiting are going to find their parks in disarray if the cuts are not reversed," Desai said.The Coalition to Protect America's National Parks, comprised of current and former NPS employees and volunteers, said in a statement that the busy season is coming for many national parks and that now should be the time to recruit, hire, and train seasonal staff."The consequences will be severe: visitor centers will close, lines will grow longer, and basic maintenance such as cleaning restrooms and facilities will suffer," Phil Francis, chair of the group's Executive Council, said. "Millions of Americans who cherish their national parks may find them inaccessible, poorly maintained, or unsafe."Beth Pratt, the California regional executive director for the National Wildlife Federation, also told BI the cuts seemed "arbitrary" and could have cascading impacts on the parks and the surrounding local communities.She said the administration could've at least chosen to ask park managers to make budget cuts that would allow them to prioritize roles as needed, but instead opted for "indiscriminate" cuts.Without staffing, the impacts could be swift and long-lasting, she said. For instance, park staff helps deter vandalism and prevent trash from overflowing, which can attract bears that can become a nuisance or danger to humans and must be put down."They need a lot of managing to ensure they stay natural," Pratt said of the national parks.Felicia Jimenez, who worked seasonal jobs with the National Park Service from 2021 to 2023, said it's been "devastating" to witness these job cuts and see friends terminated."Quite honestly, I think it is so incredibly short-sighted to cut staff at these parks because they are so necessary to run them," Jimenez, who worked as a ranger at Katmai National Park and Muir Woods National Monument, told BI.She said not only is the park service losing hardworking and highly skilled staff, but that "the public is also losing so much too."Have a news tip or a story to share? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@businessinsider.com or via the encrypted messaging app Signal @kelseyv.21 from a non-work device.

In the past few years, theres been plenty ofStar Trek to talk aboutnew shows starting, older shows coming to their ends, the franchises future on screens big and small alike (although not always entirely successfully). But for some Trek diehards, a peculiar string of numbers is all that has been on their lips: 765874. That numberthe purported Starfleet serial number of Yeoman J. M. Colt from the original Star Trek pilot episode The Cageis the title that has been given to a series of shorts released by OTOY and the Roddenberry Archives since 2022. Leveraging the VFX wizardry of the former and the Star Trek resources of the latter to create a handful of vignettes exploring crucial, unseen moments inStar Treks past, the short-but-sweet series has become something of a viral sensation every time a new release drops, givingTrek fans everything from the moment theEnterprise-D was recovered after its near-destruction, to last years emotional farewell to Kirk and Spock celebratingStar Trek: Generations 30th anniversary. To find out more about the process of creating and filming the shortsand how everything from the creative decision to revisit Kirk and Spock, to the technological challenges of creative CG replicas of William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy to continue those stories, came aboutio9 recently spoke with one of the directors behind the shorts in the project, Carlos Baena. Check out our wide-ranging interview below, as well as some behind-scenes-looks at Baena filming the fourth entry in the series, Unification (including a wild glimpse of actor Sam Witwer in costume as Captain Kirks physical stand-in!). James Whitbrook, io9: Tell me a little bit about how you got involved in creating the 765874 project. Carlos Baena: In early 2022, I began working with OTOY, Jules Urbach and the Roddenberry Archive as a freelance director, focusing on short-format content. My journey started with directing the first 765874 teaser short and co-directing Memory Wall with Jules, followed by directing Regeneration and Unification in 2023 and 2024. Directing live-action can sometimes be a different experience from my usual work in animation, especially when working on set and shooting on location. It helps to have had some experience directing previous live-action shorts.My familiarity with Star Trek was limited before joining OTOY, so diving into this world was a great learning process. To deepen my understanding, I explored the original series and iconic films like The Motion Picture and The Wrath of Khan. While Im not as well-versed in the more recent iterations of Star Trek, I relied on the crews insights to help me bridge that gap. OTOY/The Roddenberry Archive io9: Youd previously teased a set up for Unification in the short released in the wake of Picards third seasonin your minds eye with this project, were you always heading to tell a story about Kirk and Spock like this?Baena: It all came together organically. By the time we completed the Spock and Veridian III setup you mentioned in the short Regeneration, we still hadnt discussed what Unification was going to be. It wasnt until months later that Jules approached me with the seed of a follow-up idea to Regeneration he had been thinking aboutbeing Jules, someone who grew up on Star Trek and loved it dearly. Later, I learned from him about something William Shatner had discussed in an interview they did with him, which further inspired what Unification could become. As a director, you take the material and find ways to infuse it with your own experiences to keep it honest and sincere. In my case, that meant drawing from my love for my parents and my emotional journey before their passing. To me, this final reunion between Kirk and Spock had to be just as personalone last chance for them to be together after decades of meaningful experiences and adventures. My conversations with Jules became the foundation for the film. Story development began with a bullet-point document along with a mood board I created based on those discussions. From there, I was able to launch early on a few people in our team, such as our story artist Ahmed Nasri, our previs artist Jonathan Roybal and one of our VFX artists JJ Palomo. io9: Unification leaves a lot to viewer interpretation in its view of what exactly were witnessing. What made you approach the narrative in this way?Baena: The material itself shaped my approach to the films tone, vision, and execution. Some questions in life simply dont have answers, and Ive always resonated with Denis Villeneuves quote: The mystery of life isnt a problem to solve, but a reality to experience. The unknownboth in the world around us and within ourselveshas always fascinated me. I also gravitate toward films that challenge me, make me think, and linger in my mind long after they end. Because of this, I wanted the film to be experienced subjectively. This film explores humanity, connection, and what it truly means to be humanincluding themes of mortality and goodbyes. Thats why I wanted to leave space for viewers to bring their own interpretations, shaped by their personal journeys and perspectives. Because of it we also made a deliberate choice to exclude dialogue, except for a voice-over from The Wrath of Khan. Ive always felt that too much dialogue can take away from the power of visual storytelling. Instead, I leaned on body language, facial expression, and internal emotion, shaping the short into a kind of visual poemone that could speak to anyone, regardless of language or background. Carlos Baena io9: 765874 had already been using facial scanning in prior shorts, but you were dealing with two titans of Star Trek in both Spock and Kirk here. What were the challenges you faced in achieving VFX here compared to the prior 765874 shorts? Baena: Creating Unification was an ambitious challenge. We were bringing together a heartfelt story, complex performances, new technologies, and emotional depth for one of Star Treks most meaningful reunionswithout any certainty of how it would be received. At times, we even questioned whether making the film was the right decision. One of our biggest technical challenges was the lack of a film pipeline. Compared to the earlier shorts, we were dealing with a significantly larger number of very complex shots, forcing us to rethink workflow. Another major shift was how we handled dailies and feedback. In previous 765874 shorts, I managed this through Zoom due to their smaller scale, but with Unification, that approach was no longer feasible. I reached out to producer Kristina Wallace and VFX producer Mark Spatny about integrating SyncSketch, a tool created by my former Pixar colleague Bernhard Haux. Having used it successfully before in a couple of projects in other studios, I knew it would be the best way to track annotations and draw-overs.Our work on facial VFX also expanded significantlygoing from just three face replacements in Regeneration to more than thirty in Unification. Given my background as an animator, I was particularly focused on avoiding the uncanny valley, ensuring digital faces felt believable. But I also relied on Jules Urbachs knowledge of these two characterss faces to make sure Kirk and Spock felt like the characters he grew up watching for decades. Additionally, thanks to the expertise of Jules, Mike Ashton and John Lee, OTOYs facial technology exceeded expectations, and Im incredibly grateful for their dedication. io9: You worked with William Shatner directly on bringing Kirks likeness back here. What was that process like, and how important was it for you to have his involvement? Baena: William Shatner was actively involved as a consultant during key moments of production. He was also interested in the early technology tests, seeing their potential and trusting that when handled with care and integrity, they could be used in a way that honored the legacy of Star Trek. For our team, it was essential to have both William Shatner, Susan Bay Nimoy, and Rod Roddenberrys support, participation, and feedback to ensure we handled this project with the utmost respect. OTOY/The Roddenberry Archive io9: De-aging technology and digital doubles have become controversial topics of discussion in recent years, but reaction to its use in these shorts has been almost universally positive. What do you think made their use here work for Trek fans?Baena: The way you approach a project makes all the differencewhen it comes from a place of honesty, integrity, and sincerity, it resonates. As mentioned, having the involvement of key producers William Shatner, Susan Bay Nimoy, and Rod Roddenberry, as well as key folks who are deeply connected to the world of Star Trek, such as Robin Curtis, Jules Urbach, Mike and Denise Okuda, Dave Blass, [and] Michael Giacchino among many others, ensured that we treated the material with the respect and care it deserved. Audiences have an innate ability to detect when something is made for the wrong reasons, and theyll see right through it. But when a project is built from a place of passion and heart, they recognize it and respect it. io9: Shatner and Leonard Nimoy werent the only Star Trek legends you played with hereGary Lockwood made a return here after not acting for decades. How did that come about? Did you have plans for if he wouldnt return as Gary Mitchell?Baena: From the start, the character Gary Mitchell was part of the short, drawing inspiration from the Star Trek comic A Perfect System. Initially, our editorial tests suggested his presence subtly, without clearly showing his face. As development progressed, we wanted to explore the possibility of fully visualizing the TOS-era Gary Mitchell from Where No Man Has Gone Before. That led our team to approach Gary Lockwood, and once he was on board, OTOYs VFX team then did some promising facial tests. Having always admired Lockwoods performance in 2001: A Space Odyssey, I was genuinely excited that he agreed to join our short film. OTOY/The Roddenberry Archive io9: Unification doesnt just draw on the original series and its movies for Trek influenceyou use Lieutenant Commander Yor from season three of Discovery as well. What made you want to include that link to the series?Baena: In my conversations with Jules, one of the things that resonated most about Unification was his desire to tell a story that wasnt just about this truly special friendship reunion but about unifying a world that has been divided for far too long. That idea felt deeply relevant. Yors ability to move through time and universes plays a key role in the film. The badge he hands to Kirk isnt just an object; there is meaning behind it. Spock preserved it, a silent testament to his enduring wish to reunite with Kirk, making this final moment even more profound. io9: 765874 has been met with huge, viral appreciation. How have you felt seeing the response from the Star Trek community? Has it influenced any future plans youd want to either continue the project, or explore other avenues for Star Trek storytelling? Baena: I dont think any of us ever expected the short to receive such a strong response, and to say I was surprised would be an understatement. Im incredibly grateful for this journey over the past three years and the opportunities that have come with it. I also want to express my appreciation to the Star Trek community for welcoming me. Coming into this world as an outsider, Ive now made new friendships that I truly cherish. At its core, my goal was always to tell a human story first. I understood that Kirk and Spock were deeply meaningful to so manyalmost like familywhich made it a great responsibility for all of us. I know OTOY has plans for more 765874 projects, but with my current commitments, Im unsure what my involvement might be. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, whats next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

By Adam Kovac Published February 19, 2025 | Comments (0) | Jared Isaacman is the likely next administrator of NASA. Polaris Dawn If Jared Isaacman becomes NASAs administrator, as hes likely to do, the agency will prioritize Mars over the Moon under the Trump administration, judging by some of his first public comments on the matter. Jared Isaacman has been active on social media since Trump named him as his choice to become the U.S. space agencys next administrator, which he did in early December. But the astronaut mostly stuck to posting about flying planes, his payments company Shift4, and retweeting images of space without comment. On February 16, he offered a glimpse at what NASA could focus on over the next four years. Retweeting a photo of Mars, Isaacman said the imagery makes him feel energized about the future. He thinks its so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet, he added. When I see a picture like this, it is impossible not to feel energized about the future. I think it is so important for people to understand the profound implications of sending humans to another planet: We will develop groundbreaking technologies in propulsion, habitability, https://t.co/vEG2KHU3eS Jared Isaacman (@rookisaacman) February 16, 2025 The post appears to indicate that a crewed trip to Mars will become a key priority for NASA, an agency beset by uncertainty since Trumps election. Like many other governmental bodies, it seems major cuts are on their way, in addition to widespread layoffs. Boeing, a major NASA contractor, is preparing to lay off hundreds of employees connected to its space division, citing expected revisions to the Artemis program. During his inaugural address, Trump did make a reference to planting an American flag on Mars, but didnt mention the Moon. NASAs Artemis program has been beset by numerous delays and cost overruns. Artemis 2, which would see U.S. astronauts orbiting the Moon, was originally scheduled for November 2024, but is now scheduled for April 2026. The next mission, which would put boots on the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program, was supposed to blast off later this year, but now wont take place until at least the middle of 2027.The whole point of Artemis, aside from returning to the Moon after so long, is to develop the requisite technologies, skills, and experience for a future Mars mission. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has complained that Artemis is a distraction, and that the wiser approach is to tackle Mars directly. Having a direct line to the White House, Musk is likely to influence the future direction of NASA. And with Isaacman potentially heading the space agency, the future of the Artemis program is now in serious doubt. Until his X post, Isaacman largely avoided commenting on what he envisions as NASAs priorities. One exception was a 45-minute fireside chat at the Space Force Associations Spacepower Conference on December 11. During that talk, Isaacman said he believes its a necessity for the United States to put humans on the Moon and Mars, noting the development of tech for those voyages could shift the entire balance of power here on Earth. In his X post, Isaacman elaborated, saying crewed missions to Mars will contribute to advances in systems, countermeasures, and pharmaceuticals to sustain human life in extreme conditions, and will ultimately result in economic, technological, and societal benefits for all humankind. This achievement will enable humanity to survive beyond Earth, serving as a hedge against catastrophic events that have shaped our planets past and will inevitably happen again, he wrote. It is a critical step in overcoming the Great Filter, a reference to the notion that all intelligent civilizations in the universe get wiped out by catastrophes before theyre able to sufficiently master space travel.During the conference appearance, Isaacman didnt mention any specific policies or programs he would choose to explore as NASAs new leader, but he did point to a need to beef up the research on the effects of space travel on the human body. Its a field he said could take on increased importance if Space Force Guardians (yes, thats what military and civilian Space Force personnel are called) are to travel to the Moon or Mars in large numbers in the future. He also made a point to praise SpaceX, the private company that has become an integral part of the United States space strategy, and is on the receiving end of around $22 billion in government contracts. Musk, as head of DOGE, has faced criticism over potential conflicts of interest due to the significant government contracts awarded to his companies. The White House has said Musk will self-police on any conflicts of interest. Isaacman has his own connections to SpaceX, having flown on two private space voyages that launched atop the companys rockets, including the Polaris Dawn mission in September. The billionaire nominee also singled out several other contractors for praise at the conference, including Jeff Bezos Blue Origin and Rocket Lab.The rise of the commercial space industry will allow the U.S. to really figure things out and take risks, he said. While Musk has said a crewed flyby of Mars could launch as soon as 2028, Isaacman wouldnt commit to that timeline. In a reply to a comment, he wrote that he is on the outside, learning and eager for the opportunity to contribute to this grand endeavor, adding that the decision on such a mission is up to the Senate. No date has yet been set for Isaacmans confirmation hearing, but given how even Trumps most controversial (and, in some cases, totally unqualified) picks have sailed through, theres little to suggest he will face any major opposition.Daily NewsletterYou May Also Like By Isaac Schultz Published February 19, 2025 By Matthew Gault Published February 19, 2025 By Ed Cara Published February 19, 2025 By Matt Novak Published February 19, 2025 By Matthew Gault Published February 19, 2025 By Matt Novak Published February 18, 2025

In this video I test out retargeting motion capture to a Metahuman only using Unreal Engine 5.4 IK Retargeter. This involves making an IK Rig for the Vicon Skeleton and then setting up the IK Retargeting asset.0:00 - Intro and MOCAP Shoot1:54 - UE IK Rig3:43 - IK Retargeter6:48 - Final AnimationsOfficial UE Docs on IK Rig Retargetinghttps://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/unreal-engine/ik-rig-animation-retargeting-in-unreal-engine Pixel Prof YouTube Channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@PixelProf My Vicon Motion Capture System:10x Vicon Vero 2.2 CamerasShogun Live 1.12My UE Marketplace Page:https://www.unrealengine.com/marketplace/en-US/profile/Cinematography+Database?count=20&amp ;amp;sortBy=effectiveDate&sortDir=DESC&start=0

In this video I record a simple animation using my Vicon system. The animation is then retargeted in Shogun and then again in Unreal Engine 5.4. I tried two different retargets and both required some basic editing using Sequencer and Control Rig.0:00 Intro0:45 Recording MOCAP1:53 Vicon Shogun2:58 UE 5.4 Retarget3:53 Sequencer MOCAP Editing5:17 Editing second retarget6:45 Final AnimationsVicon Motion Capture System:10x Vicon Vero 2.2 CamerasShogun Live 1.12

This artists illustration depicts a dwarf galaxy that hosts an active galactic nucleus an actively feeding black hole. In the background are many other dwarf galaxies hosting active black holes, as well as a variety of other types of galaxies hosting intermediate-mass black holes. (Credit: NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/J. da Silva/M. Zamani)NewsletterSign up for our email newsletter for the latest science newsScientists using the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) have completed two major tasks. Theyve compiled the largest ever sample of dwarf galaxies (systems contain up to a mere several billion stars, compared to the Milky Ways estimated 2 billion to 400 billion) that host an actively feeding black hole. Theyve also recorded the largest collection of potential intermediate-mass black holes so far.Both results are reported in The Astrophysical Journal and provide new insight into the formation and evolution of both galaxies and black holes. They are essentially early returns from DESIs 5-year run, representing about 20 percent of the first year of data collected by the instrument.Collecting Data on the UniverseThink of DESI as an ultra-long-range camera with super-fast shutter speed that can be pointed in every possible direction. It can measure light wavelengths from 5,000 galaxies every 20 minutes, using 5,000 robotic helpers to aim its fiber-optic eyes at the thousands of galaxies its users program it to shoot. Its ultimate purpose is to create the largest 3-D map of the Universe. It turns out that 20 percent of DESIs first year of data contains a lot of information. It includes the spectra of 410,000 galaxies, including roughly 115,000 dwarf galaxies. This collection of data will help astrophysicists better understand the interplay black hole evolution and dwarf galaxy evolution.Black Hole Appetite and EnergyBlack holes remain both mysterious in nature and difficult to find. Astrophysicists suspect that all massive galaxies contain a black hole at their centers. But they are less certain about the presence of black holes in dwarf galaxies, where they are even more difficult to spot unless they are eating.When a black hole at the center of a galaxy starts feeding, it unleashes a tremendous amount of energy into its surroundings, transforming into what we call an active galactic nucleus (AGN), Ragadeepika Pucha, a University of Utah research fellow who analyzed the DESI data, said in a press release. This dramatic activity serves as a beacon, allowing us to identify hidden black holes in these small galaxies.Those AGN beacons led the team to identify about 2,500 candidate dwarf galaxies with them at their center. This represents four times as many AGNs than previous studies revealed. The implication is that there are many more dwarf galaxy black holes yet to be discovered.The Lightweight BlackholesThe other portion of the project identified 300 intermediate-mass black hole candidates. Lightweight blackholes are less than 100 times the mass of our Sun, while supermassive ones are more than a million times that. Not much is known about the in-between ones. Some astrophysicists theorize that intermediates are leftovers from the first black holes formed in the early Universe, as well as the seeds of supermassive ones. Until now, only about 100 to 150 intermediate-mass black holes have been identified.The survey contained another surprise. Astrophysicists predict that black holes that have been found in dwarf galaxies will be of intermediate mass. But only 70 of the newly discovered intermediate-mass black hole candidates are also considered potential dwarf AGNs. This raises a host of new questions about how black holes form and evolve over time.For example, is there any relationship between the mechanisms of black hole formation and the types of galaxies they inhabit? Pucha said in the release. Our wealth of new candidates will help us delve deeper into these mysteries, enriching our understanding of black holes and their pivotal role in galaxy evolution.Article SourcesOur writers at Discovermagazine.com use peer-reviewed studies and high-quality sources for our articles, and our editors review for scientific accuracy and editorial standards. Review the sources used below for this article:NSF NOIRLab (U.S. National Science Foundation National Optical-Infrared Astronomy Research Laboratory). The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI)Before joining Discover Magazine, Paul Smaglik spent over 20 years as a science journalist, specializing in U.S. life science policy and global scientific career issues. He began his career in newspapers, but switched to scientific magazines. His work has appeared in publications including Science News, Science, Nature, and Scientific American.1 free article leftWant More? Get unlimited access for as low as $1.99/monthSubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In1 free articleSubscribeWant more?Keep reading for as low as $1.99!SubscribeAlready a subscriber?Register or Log In

Nature, Published online: 19 February 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-024-08530-6Nominally identical materials are found to spontaneously order into triboelectric series over repeated processes, which is found to be driven by the act of contact itself using experiments as well as numerical simulations.