Qualcomm and MediaTek keep most of our mobile gadgets running, and each has a new chipset that will power midrange to high-end Android phones launching later in the year.Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 mobile platform will be inside new phones from Honor, Realme, and Vivo in the coming months, though we don't know which specific models.The chip has a 27% improvement in CPU power over the last-gen, 30% improvement in GPU performance, and a 65% boost in NPU power. That NPU boost is because Qualcomm is using this chipset to improve AI features for midrange Android phones, like adding support for generative AI assistants and large language modelsthat run directly on the device.We've seen similar AI features on Qualcomm products before, but not on cheaper models. You can also expect also camera improvements, including new AI-powered auto focus, auto white balance, and electronic image stabilization.Recommended by Our EditorsPreviously, Motorola and Nothing have used Snapdragon 7 Gen chipsets in phones that went on sale in the US. That may mean we see this chip on future phones from those phone makers, but neither have been officially announced as partners.In a separate reveal, rival MediaTek revealed its new Dimensity 9400e chipset, which will sit underneath the more powerful 9400 and 9400+. It's similar to MediaTek's 9300+ from 2024, but there are a couple of key changes.The 9400e is a 4nm chip featuring the brand's signature all-big-core CPU architecture made of four Cortex-X4 cores clocked at 3.4GHz and four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.0GHz. Other improvements include high-frame-rate stability with lower power consumption when gaming and support for mobile ray tracing. On the connectivity side, it now features 7.3Gbps Wi-Fi peak data rate, up from 6.5Gbps on the last-gen.Both OnePlus and Realme plan to use this chipset, but it's unlikely these devices will come to the US. OnePlus does sell its phones in the US, but it often avoids stocking its cheaper handsets here and prioritizes markets like China and India. #new #qualcomm #mediatek #chips #could

An AI tool aims to wade through mountains of government feedback and understand what the public is trying to say.UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “No one should be wasting time on something AI can do quicker and better, let alone wasting millions of taxpayer pounds on outsourcing such work to contractors.This digital assistant, aptly named ‘Consult’, just aced its first big test with the Scottish Government.The Scottish Gov threw Consult in at the deep end, asking it to make sense of public opinion on regulating non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as lip fillers and laser hair removal. Consult came back with findings almost identical to what human officials had pieced together.Now, the plan is to roll this tech out across various government departments. The current way of doing things is expensive and slow. Millions of pounds often go to outside contractors just to analyse what the public thinks.Consult is part of a bigger push to build a leaner, more responsive UK government—one that can deliver on its ‘Plan for Change’ without breaking the bank or taking an age to do it.So, how did it fare in Scotland? Consult chewed through responses from over 2,000 people. Using generative AI, it picked out the main themes and concerns bubbling up from the feedback across six key questions.Of course, Consult wasn’t left completely to its own devices. Experts in the Scottish Government double-checked and fine-tuned these initial themes. Then, the AI got back to work to sort individual responses into these categories. Officials ended up with more precious time to consider what people were saying and what it meant for policy.Because this was Consult’s first live outing, the Scottish Government went through every single response by hand too—just to be sure. Figuring out exactly what someone means in a written comment and then deciding which ‘theme’ it fits under can be a bit subjective. Even humans don’t always agree.When the government compared Consult’s handiwork to human analysis, the AI was right most of the time. Where there were differences, they were so minor they didn’t change the overall picture of what mattered most to people.Consult is part of a bigger AI toolkit called ‘Humphrey’—a suite of digital helpers designed to free up civil servants from admin and cut down on those contractor bills. It’s all part of a grander vision to use technology to sharpen up public services, aiming to find £45 billion in productivity savings. The goal is a more nimble government that is better at delivering that ‘Plan for Change’ we keep hearing about.“After demonstrating such promising results, Humphrey will help us cut the costs of governing and make it easier to collect and comprehensively review what experts and the public are telling us on a range of crucial issues,” added Kyle.“The Scottish Government has taken a bold first step. Very soon, I’ll be using Consult, within Humphrey, in my own department and others in Whitehall will be using it too – speeding up our work to deliver the Plan for Change.”Over in Scotland, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “Using the tool was very beneficial in helping the Scottish Government understand more quickly what people wanted us to hear and our respondents’ range of views.“Using this tool has allowed the Scottish Government to move more quickly to a focus on the policy questions and dive into the detail of the evidence we’ve been presented with, while remaining confident that we have heard the strong views expressed by respondents.”Of course, like many AI deployments in government, it’s still early days, and Consult is officially still in the trial phase. More number-crunching and testing are on the cards to make sure it’s working just as it should before any big decisions about a full rollout are made.But the potential here is huge. The government runs about 500 consultations every year. If Consult lives up to its promise, it could save officials a staggering 75,000 days of analysis annually.And what did the civil servants who first worked with Consult think? They were reportedly “pleasantly surprised,” finding the AI’s initial analysis a “useful starting point.” Others raved that it “saveda heck of a lot of time” and let them “get to the analysis and draw out what’s needed next” much faster.Interestingly, they also felt Consult brought a new level of fairness to the table. As one official put it, its use “takes away the bias and makes it more consistent,” preventing individual analysts from, perhaps unconsciously, letting their “own preconceived ideas” colour the findings.Some consultations receive tens, even hundreds of thousands of responses. Given how well Consult has performed in these early tests, it won’t be long before it’s used on these massive consultations.It’s worth noting that humans aren’t being kicked out of the loop. Consult has been built to keep the experts involved every step of the way. Officials will always review the themes the AI suggests and how it sorts the responses. They’ll have an interactive dashboard to play with, letting them filter and search for specific insights. It’s about AI doing the heavy lifting, so the humans can do the smart thinking.This move towards AI in government isn’t happening in a vacuum, and experts are watching closely.Stuart Harvey, CEO of Datactics, commented: “Using AI to speed up public consultations is a great example of how technology can improve efficiency and save money. But AI is only as good as the data behind it. For tools like this to work well and fairly, government departments need to make sure their data is accurate, up-to-date, and properly managed.“People need to trust the decisions made with AI. That means making sure the process is clear, well-governed, and ethical. If the data is messy or poorly handled, it can lead to biased or unreliable outcomes.“As the government expands its use of AI in public services, it’s vital to invest in strong data practices. That includes building clear and consistent data systems, making data accessible for review, and keeping humans involved in key decisions—especially when it comes to hearing from the public.”This sentiment is echoed by academics. Professor Michael Rovatsos from the University of Edinburgh, for instance, acknowledges the benefits but also wisely cautions about the risks of AI biases and even the potential for these tools to be manipulated. He’s calling for tough safeguards and ongoing investment to make sure any AI tool used by the government remains reliable and fair.Stuart Munton, Chief for Group Operations at AND Digital, added: “The government’s use of AI to speed up public consultations is a welcome step toward smarter, more efficient public services. However, as AI adoption grows, we must ensure that people – not just technology – are at the heart of this transformation.”“Tools like this will only reach their full potential if we invest in equipping public sector teams with the right skills and training. Empowering diverse talent to work with AI will not only improve how these tools perform but also ensure that innovation is inclusive to real-world needs.”If done right, with these expert caveats in mind, AI tools like Consult have the potential to improve how governments listen, learn, and make policy based on public opinion. The UK government isn’t hanging about; the plan is to get Consult working across various departments by the end of 2025.Want to learn more about AI and big data from industry leaders? Check out AI & Big Data Expo taking place in Amsterdam, California, and London. The comprehensive event is co-located with other leading events including Intelligent Automation Conference, BlockX, Digital Transformation Week, and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo.Explore other upcoming enterprise technology events and webinars powered by TechForge here. #tool #speeds #government #feedback #experts

In recent decades, researchers have consistently explored new ways to tackle the global obesity epidemic. While existing methods show significant results, such as the dramatic, long-term weight loss from bariatric surgery or the flexible, non-invasive use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, each approach has its drawbacks. Surgery can be risky and irreversible, while medications often bring unpleasant side effects and a risk of regaining weight once treatment stops.But what if we could combine the best of both? Imagine achieving the benefits of gastric bypass surgery without going under the knife — simply by taking a pill.A Boston-based biopharmaceutical companyis working on exactly that. The first-in-human study of their new treatment, known as SYNT-101, was presented at the European Congress on Obesityin Malaga, Spain. It demonstrated not only safety and good tolerance but also promising signs of appetite regulation and weight loss, without the side effects commonly seen with GLP-1 drugs.Bariatric Surgery vs. GLP-1 DrugsBariatric surgery remains the gold standard for significant weight loss. These procedures reduce stomach size or bypass parts of the small intestine, physically limiting nutrient absorption. But it’s a serious commitment, typically reserved for people with a BMI over 40 and requires lifelong lifestyle changes, medical supervision, and carries the inherent risks of major surgery.On the flip side, GLP-1 drugs offer a less invasive option for people with moderate weight gain. Available in pill or injection form, they’re easier to use but often cause side effects like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There’s also concern about losing lean muscle mass and regaining weight once the treatment stops.Faced with these extremes, many patients are left feeling stuck. That’s where SYNT-101 steps in, a new oral treatment that mimics gastric bypass without cutting or injections.Pill Mimics Gastric BypassSYNT-101 works by forming a temporary coating in the first part of the small intestine, rerouting how nutrients are absorbed. This “nutrient exclusion” triggers earlier satiety and helps regulate metabolic hormones.In animal studies, SYNT-101 led to an average weekly weight loss of 1 percent for six weeks and preserved 100 percent of lean muscle mass — better than GLP-1 drugs. In the human pilot study, nine healthy adultsreceived a single dose in liquid form at three increasing dosage levels.According to the press release, endoscopic imaging confirmed that the coating formed as expected. Blood tests showed increased leptinand reduced ghrelin, consistent with preclinical results. Glucose tolerance tests showed delayed glucose absorption, indicating that uptake was occurring later in the digestive tract.Importantly, there were no adverse events or gastrointestinal symptoms, and participants reported zero pain. Rahul Dhanda, CEO of Syntis Bio, summarized in the news release: “These data validate the potential of SYNT-101 to induce metabolic changes that support glycemic control, weight loss and energy balance.”Need Of Novel Treatment OptionsThe temporary lining lasts up to 24 hours. While the initial study used a liquid dose, the treatment is being developed as a once-daily pill for convenience.“We believe that SYNT-101 will provide a convenient, more sustainable oral alternative and/or complement to systemic therapies such as GLP-1 drugs,” said Dhanda in the statement. “The millions of people living with obesity need novel treatment options that are safe, effective and avoid the high costs and severe side effects that often accompany available treatment options.”Larger clinical trials are planned, and Syntis Bio aims to submit an Investigational New Drugapplication to the FDA in late 2025. As Dhanda added: “We are eager to replicate these data in our upcoming Phase 1 clinical trial and further explore the ability of SYNT-101 to produce sustainable, safe, effective weight loss by reducing fat, preserving lean muscle and stimulating natural production of satiety hormones to prevent weight regain.”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:American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric Surgery More Effective and Durable Than New Obesity Drugs and Lifestyle InterventionF1000 Reports Medicine: Quick fix or long-term cure? Pros and cons of bariatric surgeryHarvard Health Publishing: GLP-1 diabetes and weight-loss drug side effects: "Ozempic face" and moreHaving worked as a biomedical research assistant in labs across three countries, Jenny excels at translating complex scientific concepts – ranging from medical breakthroughs and pharmacological discoveries to the latest in nutrition – into engaging, accessible content. Her interests extend to topics such as human evolution, psychology, and quirky animal stories. When she’s not immersed in a popular science book, you’ll find her catching waves or cruising around Vancouver Island on her longboard. #gastric #bypass #pill #could #help

WASP, an Italian manufacturer of large-scale 3D printing systems for sustainable construction, has partnered with Columbia University’s Natural Materials Lab to support the fabrication of Earthen Rituals, a clay-based installation presented at the 19th Venice Biennale of Architecture. The piece is located in the Arsenale’s “Natural” section and will be accessible to visitors until November 23. Earthen Rituals installation on display at the 19th Venice Biennale of Architecture. Photo via WASP. Columbia’s Natural Materials Lab has been using WASP’s 40100 LDM ceramic 3D printer as part of a research project funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The research focuses on earth and fiber-based building materials. For this latest installation, the lab relied on WASP’s Residency Program to carry out production under a tight schedule. Researchers used the WASP 40100 Production system, designed for continuous custom manufacturing, and the 3MT LDM system equipped with a high-density continuous feeding unit. The project involved the 3D printing of hundreds of earth tiles, made from a mixture of construction waste soils and agricultural by-products. The formulation process drew on a “kitchen approach” informed by vernacular construction methods, including Terracruda, Lehm, Toub Laban, and Udongo. A digitized process converted earthen textures into printable code. Visual and structural references in the installation include techniques such as rammed earth, weaving, basketry, and figurine-making. Lighting and olfactory elements were integrated into the structure. WASP 40100 LDM extrudes earthen paste during tile fabrication. Photo via WASP. Earthen Rituals is framed by its authors as a response to extractive practices, colonial legacies, and global environmental crises. The project outlines three methodological approaches: ceremonial, radical, and devotional. Project lead Lola Ben-Alon is affiliated with Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. Additional contributors from the Natural Materials Lab include Associate Research Scientist Olga Beatrice Carcassi and Adjunct Research Scientist Penmai Chongtoua. Graduate assistants who participated in the project are Keenan Bellisari, Christopher Tillinghast Sherman, Trella Isabel Lopez, Kelechi Iheanacho, Neil Potnis, Sherry Aine Chuang Te, Nikoletta Zakynthinou Xanthi, and Amani Makee Hill. WASP acted as the technical collaborator, hosting the team at its facility in Italy and providing access to its latest 3D printing technologies. Detail of 3D printed earthen tiles showing layered textures and voids. Photo via WASP. WASP’s prior applications in sustainable and architectural 3D printing At Formnext 2024, WASP introduced a range of technologies focused on material reuse and large-scale additive manufacturing. Highlights included a recycling station for plastics, a multicolor extrusion system, and geopolymer-based construction modules developed with Eindhoven University. The company also presented a 100 m² low-carbon building prototype created by the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Cataloniausing a Crane WASP 3D printer and locally sourced soil. Additional displays featured coral reef restoration modules 3D printed in collaboration with rrreefs using the WASP 40100 Production system and Liquid Deposition Modelingtechnology. These modules were printed live at the event. In early 2025, Japanese architecture studio Aki Hamada Architects constructed a 3D printed rest facility for Expo 2025 in Osaka using WASP’s Crane Stand Alone system. The installation, one of 20 rest stations commissioned for the event, included prefabricated panels, cylindrical washbasins, and planter-benches made from a mixture of clay, straw, seaweed glue, pigments, and magnesium oxide hardener. Stone shapes from across Japan were 3D scanned to generate the printed geometries, which were tested for stability and adjusted to meet overhang tolerances. Production took place in Toyama, with elements transported to the Expo site and installed onto timber frameworks using embedded wooden inserts. Ready to discover who won the 20243D Printing Industry Awards? Subscribe to the 3D Printing Industry newsletter to stay updated with the latest news and insights. Featured image showcase Earthen Rituals installation. Photo via WASP. Coral reef 3D printing in alliance with rrreefs. Photo via WASP. Anyer Tenorio Lara Anyer Tenorio Lara is an emerging tech journalist passionate about uncovering the latest advances in technology and innovation. With a sharp eye for detail and a talent for storytelling, Anyer has quickly made a name for himself in the tech community. Anyer's articles aim to make complex subjects accessible and engaging for a broad audience. In addition to his writing, Anyer enjoys participating in industry events and discussions, eager to learn and share knowledge in the dynamic world of technology. #columbia #wasp #showcase #printed #earth

Pictured above, Cynara by Osborne & Little, shot at Dutch Flower Line.There’s something ineffably romantic about an early morning sprint through New York City’s Flower District. Tucked along West 28th Street, this energetic and fragrant corridor has long been a mecca for interior designers, stylists, and creatives. Buckets overflow with ruffled ranunculus, chartreuse parrot tulips, and branches of cherry blossoms stretching skyward—each one an ephemeral muse. For me, it’s not just about blooms, it’s about fabric.This season a wave of new floral textiles has burst forth. From delicately block-printed and hand-embroidered linens to screen-printed silks and bold cotton chintzes, textile houses are turning to flowers not merely as motif but as mood. As florals reassert themselves this season, there’s no better place to begin than the Flower Market, where scent, texture, and color convene like a mood board in bloom. Supporting this local institution not only sustains a vital creative ecosystem, it keeps the soul of the city’s design scene alive and rooted in community. In this garden of inspiration, flowers are forever.Jennifer LivingstonSandrine by Leah O’Connell Textiles, shot at G. Page.Jennifer LivingstonFrom left: Francesca Purple by Tulu Textiles; Frenchy by James Malone available through John Rosselli, shot at US Evergreen.Jennifer LivingstonPersephone by Spring Street Textiles, shot at Dutch Flower Line.My Favorite SourcesNew York Flower Group150 W. 28th StreetThis team has some of the best service and freshest blooms in every color. If you need something specific, call ahead to place an order.28th Street Wholesale150 W. 28th StreetAlthough it has the same address, this shop is next door to the New York Flower Group. They carry interesting seasonal branches and offerings, such as, in season, uncut tulips growing from the bulb.Caribbean Cuts120 W. 28th StreetWith some of the most unique and exotic tropical plants and flowers, this is the place to go for the most interesting foliage and fruit.US Evergreen805 Sixth AvenueRight around the corner, this institution takes over the street and is bursting with the best local branches. It also specializes in custom wreaths and garlands during the holidays, so place your orders early for next season.Tropical Plants and Orchids106 W. 28th StreetChicly located behind the McDonald’s, I always check Tropical Plant for myrtle topiaries and indoor plants, like maiden’s hair ferns or potted orchids—they tend to have the best prices on the block. Plus, they’ll pot anything beautifully with moss.Jamali Floral and Garden149 W. 28th StreetThe go-to source for floral supplies, basic decorative containers, and shears. Head to Jamali to grab some simple taper candles or a julep cup.Jennifer LivingstonBeaton Floral by Ralph Lauren Home, available through Designers Guild, shot outside of Jamali Floral and Garden.Jennifer LivingstonProtea Print by Thibaut, shot at Caribbean Cuts.Jennifer LivingstonPolka by Décors Barbares for Namay Samay, available through John Rosselli, shot outside of 28th Street Wholesale.What to KnowGo early: I recommend arriving between 5:30 and 6 a.m. for the freshest finds and best variety. You’d be surprised how crowded it is with floral designers and stylists, even at this hour.Dress warmly: Since the temperatures inside are often quite low, I recommend bringing an extra layer and dressing for utilitarian purposes—Mother Nature isn’t always the cleanest. Park on 27th Street: Street parking is free on 27th Street but only until 8 a.m. Avoid 28th Street for parking and Uber pickup, as it is always extremely crowded.Use the shelves: The open shelves in the rear of each shop are for customers. It’s really helpful to arrange everything you’re considering buying facing outward so you can see what you have and what you’re missing.Walk the street: I recommend starting on one side of the market and walking across 28th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues to see who has the best of whatever is in season at the moment. Make a mental list and then go back when ready to purchase.Bring a wagon: I am now the proud owner of a collapsible wagon. While not the most attractive item I own, it’s helpful if you’re working on a big project and don’t have an extra pair of hands. Be respectful: Everyone working at the market is super-knowledgeable, kind, and hardworking. I’ve sadly seen some horrifying customer behavior. In a place chock-full of beauty, no one needs to make enemies.Jennifer LivingstonPansy by Marvic Textiles, shot at 28th Street Wholesale.Jennifer LivingstonHindi by Zak and Fox, shot at Dutch Flower Line.Jennifer LivingstonTara Magnolia by Lee Jofa, shot outside of Tropical Plants and Orchids.Style assistant: Julia Stevens #elle #decor #editors #guide #new

The Ray-Ban Meta glasses are getting an upgrade to better help the blind and low vision community. The AI assistant will now provide "detailed responses" regarding what's in front of users. Meta says it'll kick in "when people ask about their environment." To get started, users just have to opt-in via the Device Settings section in the Meta AI app. The company shared a video of the tool in action in which a blind user asked Meta AI to describe a grassy area in a park. It quickly hopped into action and correctly pointed out a path, trees and a body of water in the distance. The AI assistant was also shown describing the contents of a kitchen.  I could see this being a fun add-on even for those without any visual impairment. In any event, it begins rolling out to all users in the US and Canada in the coming weeks. Meta plans on expanding to additional markets in the near future. It's Global Accessibility Awareness Day, so that's not the only accessibility-minded tool that Meta announced today. There's the nifty Call a Volunteer, a tool that automatically connects blind or low vision people to a "network of sighted volunteers in real-time" to help complete everyday tasks. The volunteers come from the Be My Eyes foundation and the platform launches later this month in 18 countries. The company recently announced a more refined system for live captions in all of its extended reality products, like the Quest line of VR headsets. This converts spoken words into text in real-time, so users can "read content as it's being delivered." The feature is already available for Quest headsets and within Meta Horizon Worlds.This article originally appeared on Engadget at #meta039s #smart #glasses #will #soon

Plants Cryopreservation is not sci-fi. It may save plants from extinction Scientists want to deep-freeze plants for future revival Magnolia treesare among the plants that researchers want to cryopreserve. TED VANCLEAVEand The Voorhes/Gallery Stock By Sujata Gupta 1 hour ago Early one morning in 1985, a pair of researchers trekked into a spit of Colombian rainforest surrounded by coffee plantations. Their task was to identify all the epiphytes — plants that grow on other plants — in the forest canopy. As Jan Wolf, a botanist now at the University of Amsterdam, measured tree trunk girth from the ground, volunteer field assistant Jan Klomp, an economist by training, clipped into a harness and climbed up a tall tree. From his high perch, Klomp called down to say he had discovered something more familiar in the Netherlands than in the rainforest: tulips. Perplexed, Wolf scoured the forest floor for fallen flowers. Sign up for our newsletter We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday. #cryopreservation #not #scifi #save #plants

Credit: Thiago Prudencio / SOPA Images / LightRocket via Getty Images Valve has addressed Steam's security breach reported earlier this week, a leak which allegedly involved over 89 million user records. Fortunately, it apparently isn't as bad as it initially seemed.In a post to the Steam News Hub on Wednesday, Valve acknowledged the issue but stressed that no user accounts for its popular video game distribution platform had actually been compromised."We have examined the leak sample and have determined this was NOT a breach of Steam systems,"While there was a leak, it apparently only included phone numbers and old, one-time text messages sent to them for two-factor authentication. These text messages expire 15 minutes after they're sent, so this archive of past authentication codes seems pretty useless to any bad actors who may access it."The leaked data did not associate the phone numbers with a Steam account, password information, payment information or other personal data," Valve continued. "Old text messages cannot be used to breach the security of your Steam account, and whenever a code is used to change your Steam email or password using SMS, you will receive a confirmation via email and/or Steam secure messages." Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up! This news is a significant relief to PC gamers, many of whom were alarmed by the news of Steam's security breach over the weekend. In a LinkedIn post on Sunday, cybersecurity firm Underdark had reported that over 89 million Steam user records were being offered for sale on a dark web forum. Stating that they had analysed a sample of the data provided by the seller, Underdark claimed that it contained two-factor authentication text messaging records routed through Twilio. The cloud communications company offers products such as two-factor authentication software, and lists Shopify and Stripe among its clients.However, Twilio denied any involvement in the Steam breach after investigating the incident. "There is no evidence to suggest that Twilio was breached," a Twilio spokesperson said in a statement to Bleeping Computer. "We have reviewed a sampling of the data found online, and see no indication that this data was obtained from Twilio." Related Stories What's more, Valve apparently doesn't even use Twilio. A Valve spokesperson reportedly told independent games journalist @MellowOnline1 on Tuesday that the company doesn't utilise Twilio's services at all.Still, regardless of how it occurred or how harmless it may ultimately turn out to be, it's clear that there has been a breach. Valve is continuing to investigate the source of the leak, "which is compounded by the fact that any SMS messages are unencrypted in transit, and routed through multiple providers on the way to your phone."Considering the nature of this breach, Valve advises that changing your Steam password isn't necessary. Even so, it's still good general security hygiene to change your passwords every now and then.If you're concerned about securing your Steam account, you can check your authorised devices and remove any you don't recognise. You can also set up the Steam Mobile Authenticator on the Steam Mobile App. Amanda Yeo Assistant Editor Amanda Yeo is an Assistant Editor at Mashable, covering entertainment, culture, tech, science, and social good. Based in Australia, she writes about everything from video games and K-pop to movies and gadgets. #valve #responds #steam #security #breach

Microsoft's annual Build developer conference kicks off on May 19, and as always, it starts with a keynote. You can watch the opening event live starting at 12:05 PM Eastern time on Microsoft's website, though you'd have to register and sign in to be able to access the livestream. Microsoft will also be streaming the keynote on YouTube, though, and you can access it below. Just like last year, the event will be hosted by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, along with the company's Chief Technology Officer, Kevin Scott. According to the keynote page, the executives will be sharing how "Microsoft is creating new opportunity acrossplatforms in this era of AI." The company has been introducing new AI features at Build over the last few years, and that's most likely what's going to happen again this time. We expect Microsoft to add more AI agents to Windows 11 to automate more tasks for you on the operating system. It could also give us an in-depth look at Copilot Vision, a feature that allows the AI assistant to see what you're doing on your computer so it could talk you through various tasks. Microsoft likely wouldn't be announcing new hardware at the event, however, seeing as it has only recently launched a 12-inch Surface Pro tablet and a 13-inch Surface Laptop.  Microsoft's Build conference will take place from May 19 to May 22. Two other tech events are also taking place around that time: Google's I/O conference from May 20 to 21 and the Computex computer expo in Taiwan from May 20 to 23. This article originally appeared on Engadget at #how #watch #microsoft #build #keynote

Prostate cancer is one of the primary health scares for aging men, but thankfully, improved testing could soon be on the way. A simple spit test that can be taken at home is among the most promising methods for detecting prostate cancer, which an estimated 1 in 8 men are diagnosed with during their lifetime. In an April 2025 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers demonstrated the success of calculating prostate cancer risk from saliva. The study showed that a spit test can identify prostate cancer more accurately than prostate-specific antigentests, which have come under scrutiny for their tendency to produce unreliable results. Success of the PRS Saliva TestThe study assessed 6,142 European men between the ages of 55 and 69, extracting germline DNA from their saliva. Using the saliva, researchers were able to find a polygenic risk score; this metric denotes someone’s risk of developing a disease — in this case, prostate cancer — based on the genetic variants they contain. Those with a PRS in the 90th percentile or higher were invited for further screening, since a higher score indicates the inheritance of many genetic variations that could raise the risk of developing prostate cancer. A total of 468 participants with exceptionally high PRS underwent MRI scans and prostate biopsies; 187 of these menwere diagnosed with prostate cancer as a result. The Flaws of PSA Blood TestsUnlike the PRS test using saliva, PSA blood tests can fall short in several ways. These tests measure prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by both normal and malignant cells from the prostate gland. An initial PSA test is often recommended to men around age 50 who have an average risk of developing prostate cancer, or men around age 40 who have a high risk due to family history. The American Cancer Society states that men with a PSA of less than 2.5 ng/mL may only need to be retested every two years, whereas testing should be done every year for those with a higher PSA.Although PSA tests are still commonplace in prostate cancer screenings, they don’t always produce the desired outcome for patients. According to a press statement on the new study, PSA tests falsely indicate “prostate cancer in men three out of four times.” False-positives derived from the tests could lead patients to seek unnecessary medical procedures. A separate 2022 study found that age, alcohol intake, and the presence of urinary tract infections were commonly associated with false positives in PSA tests. Another downfall of PSA tests is that they often detect other cancers that normally grow slowly and would never show symptoms of concern.The new study showed that PRS spit tests, on the other hand, are able to catch a higher proportion of aggressive cancers that are likely to spread. Expanding Knowledge on Prostate CancerResearchers are now working to develop a version of the test that can detect more prostate cancer risk variants in other populations, such as those with Asian and African ancestry. They will also continue with additional trials to compare the success rate of spit tests with MRI scans and PSA tests. "Early detection of cancers significantly increases the chance of a cure. With prostate cancer cases expected to double by 2040, it's crucial to establish a robust way of picking up clinically significant cases of prostate cancer at an earlier stage,” said Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research in London. “The current PSA test often leads to unnecessary treatments and, more concerningly, fails to detect some cancers. There is an urgent need for a better screening test. This research represents a promising advancement towards that goal and underscores the life-saving potential of genetic testing."This article is not offering medical advice and should be used for informational purposes only.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:American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Recommendations for Prostate Cancer Early DetectionNational Cancer Institue. Prostate-Specific AntigenTestNew England Journal of Medicine. Assessment of a Polygenic Risk Score in Screening for Prostate CancerJack Knudson is an assistant editor at Discover with a strong interest in environmental science and history. Before joining Discover in 2023, he studied journalism at the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University and previously interned at Recycling Today magazine. #simple #spit #test #could #reveal