Itβs very much a real-life doco version of βThe Lion Kingβ, with Jon Favreau executive producing, and music from Hans Zimmer echoing themes from the Disney classic. It took Disney+ and BBC Studiosβ...
The post βLIONβ β new TV series chronicles four-year journey of lion cub Kio first appeared on Science Illustrated.
Googleβs Chrome browser has added a new feature that could go a long way in preventing a form of account takeover thatβs grown increasingly common as users adopt two-factor authentication, passkeys, and similar protections.
The new Chrome protection is known as device-bound session credentials (DBSCs). The measure stores a unique encryption key in a silicon-resident fortress thatβs built into the device running the browser. On Windows machines, this fortress is called a TPM, short for Trusted Platform Module. On macOS and iOS, itβs known as a secure enclave. Other platforms have differing names. Recently released versions of Chrome for Windows and macOS generate a key thatβs stored in this fortress.
DBSCs protect against the theft of session cookies, the unique strings of characters that websites store on browsers. Session cookies greatly speed up browsing on sensitive sites that require user authentication. Instead of requiring the exchange of credentials each time a user opens a new site page, the server sets a session cookie that effectively proves the user has already successfully logged in.
Β© Getty Images
Hundreds of US government drones have switched from border surveillance to a different surveillance mission this summerβlooking for signs of screwworm infestations in wild animals and livestock herds.
The flesh-eating New World Screwworm is the parasitic larva that emerges from eggs laid by flies in the open wounds or body openings of warm-blooded animals and humans, with untreated cases potentially leading to severe injury or death. Since the first screwworm cases were detected in South Texas in June, the US Department of Agriculture and US Customs and Border Protection have been conducting βone of the most extensive animal-health surveillance operations in the country,βΒ the USDA said on August 10 in social media posts on platforms like X and Facebook.
The effort involves at least 200 drones owned by the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency. But the actual number in use "varies depending on availability and need," a USDA spokesperson told Ars.
Β© US Department of Agriculture
A tiny microscope weighing just five grams could give neuroscientists an unprecedented view of how individual brain cells control behavior while animals move naturally. Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a head-mounted device that can both record neural activity and selectively activate individual neurons during movement. The technology could help scientists investigate how brain circuits generate behavior and how those circuits become disrupted in conditions such as Alzheimerβs disease, Parkinsonβs disease and epilepsy.
The device, called Opto2P-FCM, combines two powerful techniques that have traditionally been difficult to use together in a freely moving animal. Two-photon microscopy provides detailed images of living brain tissue at cellular resolution, while optogenetics uses light-sensitive proteins to control selected neurons. By integrating both capabilities into a miniature instrument, the researchers can observe specific cells as they become active and then stimulate chosen neurons to test how they influence the surrounding network.
βThese miniature microscopes have been increasingly used to study the neural basis of behavior in freely moving animals,β said Emily Gibson, PhD, associate professor of biomedical engineering at CU Anschutz and the studyβs senior author. βThis new microscope allows deeper penetration and higher resolution images in the brain. Importantly, it can also excite select neurons using optogenetics.β
For decades, conventional two-photon microscopes have been regarded as the gold standard for imaging neurons in living brains. These systems use infrared laser light to produce high-resolution images deep within tissue, allowing researchers to track calcium signals and other indicators of neural activity. However, conventional microscopes are generally large, stationary instruments. Animals must often remain immobilized beneath the objective, making it difficult to study brain activity during walking, exploration, social interaction or other natural behaviors.
Miniature microscopes have helped overcome that limitation by moving the imaging system onto the animalβs head. Yet reducing the size and weight of the equipment has often required compromises. Some compact systems provide lower-resolution images, while others can record neural activity but cannot stimulate precisely selected cells. The Colorado team designed Opto2P-FCM to address both problems through a dual-path optical architecture that separates imaging from stimulation.
In the imaging pathway, infrared light is directed through the brain to generate two-photon signals from fluorescent markers inside neurons. These markers can report changes in calcium concentration, which occur when neurons fire. The resulting signals are collected to create detailed images of neural activity at the level of individual cells. A separate optical pathway delivers patterned light for optogenetic stimulation, allowing researchers to activate specific neurons without disrupting the imaging beam or overwhelming the detectors.
This separation is technically important because imaging and stimulation place different demands on an optical system. High-resolution imaging requires precise focusing, efficient light collection and minimal optical distortion. Optogenetic activation, by contrast, requires intense, accurately positioned light capable of reaching the light-sensitive proteins expressed by selected neurons. Designing both functions into a device small enough to be carried by an animal required careful control of the alignment, geometry and weight of every optical component.
βThis microscope is a game changer,β said Juliet Gopinath, PhD, professor of electrical, computer and energy engineering and physics at CU Boulder and a study co-author. βBeing able to demonstrate a state-of-the-art instrument for both read-out and photo-stimulation of neurons is amazing.β The research team included engineers, physicists and neuroscientists who worked together to solve problems involving miniature lenses, mechanical tolerances, optical alignment and three-dimensional fabrication.
The device weighs approximately five grams, but its small size made construction unusually demanding. Mo Zohrabi, PhD, a senior research scientist at CU Boulder and co-first author, said the team initially thought such an instrument might be impossible to build because of the tight tolerances required by the optics and available 3D-printing technology. Gregory Futia, PhD, a senior research associate at CU Anschutz and co-first author, said that every component had to be designed and accounted for with extreme precision. Even slight misalignment could reduce image quality or prevent the stimulation beam from reaching the intended cells.
The researchers believe the platform could transform experiments designed to distinguish correlation from causation in the brain. Recording a neuronβs activity can show that it is associated with a behavior, but it does not prove that the cell helps produce that behavior. With optogenetic stimulation, scientists can activate a selected population and observe whether movement, decision-making or other actions change. At the same time, the microscope can record how neighboring neurons respond, providing a view of how local circuits coordinate activity.
The current Opto2P-FCM system is a prototype, and the researchers are working on future versions that could be smaller, lighter and faster. They also hope to expand the field of view so that more neurons can be monitored at once. Such improvements could make it possible to track larger networks over longer periods while animals engage in increasingly complex behaviors. By combining cellular-resolution observation with targeted manipulation in a freely moving subject, the technology may help reveal how healthy neural circuits operate and how neurological disease changes the communication between them.
Subject of Research: Miniature two-photon microscopy, optogenetics, neural circuits and brain activity during natural movement
Article Title: New Miniature Microscope Allows Scientists to Watch and Control Brain Cells During Natural Movement
News Publication Date: Aug. 11, 2026
Web References: University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; University of Colorado Boulder; Optica study
References: Optica, βNew Miniature Microscope Allows Scientists to Watch and Control Brain Cells During Natural Movement,β article publication date: Aug. 7, 2026
Miniature microscope, two-photon microscopy, optogenetics, neuroscience, brain imaging, neural circuits, freely moving animals, biomedical engineering, applied physics, neurological disease, brain research
Tens of thousands of years ago, Neanderthals mated with modern humans and passed along a gene variant that enables us to pack on more muscle, a new study finds.
Researchers found that this specific Neanderthal gene, a variant of the growth hormone receptor gene, causes cells to respond strongly to growth hormone. The Neanderthal version of the gene creates a growth hormone receptor with two amino acid changes and one deletion, compared with the typical receptor in most modern humans. The researchers think it entered the modern human gene pool through interbreeding, probably about 47,000 years ago.
"The most noticeable characteristic would likely be greater muscle mass, around 270 grams [9.5 ounces] per copy of the variant," study co-author Hugo Zeberg, a geneticist at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, told Live Science in an email. "A person who inherited two copies, one from each parent, could therefore have more than half a kilogram [1.2 pounds] of additional muscle mass."
The study, published Aug. 5 in the journal Cell, found that almost all Neanderthals had this gene variant, but only about 10% of modern humans do. Certain modern human groups were more likely to have it, with the variant showing up in about 1% of modern people with European ancestry, and up to 25% of those with Southern Asian or Southeast Asian ancestry. It does not seem to appear in people of African ancestry, possibly because the interbreeding happened in Eurasia.
Human growth hormone is produced naturally by most people in the brain's pituitary gland, and it stimulates growth in children and adolescents. Some people have too much or too little human growth hormone, but most of these cases can be medically treated for it. The pituitary gland is also essential in adults for producing hormones that have several roles, including regulating metabolism, stimulating ovulation in ovaries, and stimulating testosterone production in testicles.
In the study, the researchers studied 10 samples of Neanderthal DNA and two samples of Denisovan DNA from archaeological sites in Europe, the Balkans, Siberia and Asia. (The Denisovans were closely related to the Neanderthals.)
They compared their results to modern biobanks that store more than 1.1 million human genomes and related physical data, to understand the effects of the gene variant.
The researchers next tweaked cells in the laboratory to express the regular and Neanderthal variants of the gene, and found that the Neanderthal cells multiplied about 40% more often than regular cells when flushed with growth hormone. Despite this, the Neanderthal gene variant doesn't always make people look bulkier, the researchers found. Instead, the differences are more subtle: for example, people who have this gene variant would have higher levels of a key signaling protein in response to growth hormone, the researchers wrote.
The team also found that people with the gene variant might have slightly shorter tooth roots and small differences in their jaw shape β features that are seen in Neanderthals, who went extinct around 40,000 years ago.
Neanderthals were, in general, stockier than modern humans. But Zeberg thinks their enhanced response to growth hormone does not fully explain why Neanderthals were generally more robust and "thick-set" than modern humans.
"It cannot explain the Neanderthal body type on its own," he said. "Neanderthal robustness was almost certainly shaped by many genes, as well as by development, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Our results provide one possible piece of a much larger puzzle."
The placenta produces a particular form of growth hormone for a fetus, which differs from the form of growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland. However, it seems the Neanderthal variant doesn't respond to growth hormone from the placenta. As a result, Neanderthal babies were the same size at birth as modern human babies but grew faster after that, Zeberg said.
In the study's sample of modern humans, the team noticed that children aged 11 or younger with the gene variant didn't show the effect; rather, only older individuals did. This suggests that the gene variant's differences might not emerge until puberty, strengthening the idea that it responds only to growth hormone produced by the pituitary gland and not by the placenta, the researchers said.
"Growth hormone is also particularly important during puberty, when its levels rise substantially," Zeberg said. "The effect of the variant is therefore likely to be especially important during puberty and later development, rather than before birth."
Kornelius Kupczik, a paleoanthropologist at the University of Chile in Santiago who was not involved in the study, told Live Science that it was notable to see such a high prevalence of the Neanderthal gene variant in people of South Asian and Southeast Asian ancestry, when it was relatively rare among Europeans.
This suggests that early human migrations may have been more complicated than had been assumed β a "curious" challenge that required further investigation. "I guess that's something we still have to find out," he said.
How much do you know about our closest relatives? Find out with our Neanderthal quiz!
Sperm whales make the loudest communication sound of any animal on Earth, researchers find β but they aren't sure why.
In a new study, researchers investigated the mysterious, low-frequency clangs made by male sperm whales and found that they were louder than any known sperm whale communication signal, with the potential to be heard by other whales around 43 miles (70 kilometers) away.
They are very loud and metallic sounds that almost sound "like a jail door slamming," which is "why they are also called clangs," study first author Simone Videsen and co-author Peter Teglberg Madsen, biologists at the Center for Active Sensing with Sound at Aarhus University in Denmark, told Live Science in an email. "You feel small as a human when you hear them, as they are clearly made by something bigger than you," they said.
Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are the largest toothed predators, growing up to around 59 feet (18 meters) long. They dive deep into the ocean to hunt giant squid (Architeuthis dux) and other prey that dwell as low as 1.9 miles (3 km) below the ocean surface.
The distinctive clangs, first reported in the 1980s, are the loudest communication signal that sperm whales make, although they can produce even louder echolocation clicks to locate prey during hunts. The clangs are unusual because they are made only by males and represent an extreme form of communication that scientists still can't fully explain.
In the latest study, the researchers used hydrophones (underwater microphones) off the Seychelles to measure the sound level of the clangs. They also studied the rhythm of the signals in recordings collected in other locations, including off Sri Lanka, Norway and Scotland.
The recordings revealed that the whales kept up a slow, low-frequency rhythm, unlike the short, rhythmic clicks that both males and females make for typical social communication or the clicks used in echolocation. In fact, the rhythm was so slow that males left a gap of 5 to 10 seconds between each clang. That might not sound that impressive βͺββ¬ but as far as we know, whales can't count to 10, so they are using another means to keep up this rhythm. According to the study, the whales might be relying on the echoes of the clangs bouncing off the seafloor.
Sperm whales can produce these record-breaking acoustics thanks to their ginormous noses β the largest of any animal β that dominate their massive heads, which make up about one-third of their body length. To make the clangs, male whales use their "phonic lips" βͺββ¬ structures in their noses that snap together.
"They make [these noises] by forcing pressurized air through so-called phonic lips in their giant sound producing nose," Videsen and Madsen said.
The researchers proposed a few possible explanations for why the whales might be making the long-range clangs. For example, the males might be using the sounds to attract mates or scare off other males.
However, the communication may exist for another, unknown reason. In future studies, the researchers hope to learn more about this mysterious form of communication by playing recordings of the clangs underwater and seeing how nearby sperm whales respond.
The disposable vape market continues to evolve, with manufacturers moving beyond traditional compact devices and introducing products designed to deliver longer-lasting performance, larger vapor production, and a more immersive experience. The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah Disposable Vape is one of the latest high-capacity devices aiming to combine the convenience of disposable vaping with the social-style experience of hookah.
Designed for users who enjoy rich flavor, dense vapor, and extended usage, the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah focuses on three major areas:
In this review, we take a closer look at the design, features, performance, and overall experience of the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah Disposable Vape.
Traditional disposable vapes are usually designed for portability, but the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah takes a different approach. It focuses on delivering a larger and more relaxed vaping experience similar to an electronic hookah.
The device is designed for users who want:
HQD has expanded its hookah-style product lineup with devices focused on large-capacity cartridges, adjustable airflow, and rechargeable batteries. For example, HQDβs SHISHA series features refillable cartridge designs, adjustable airflow, mesh coil technology, and large battery capacities aimed at a hookah-style experience.
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah features a larger body compared with traditional disposable vapes.
Instead of a slim pocket-style design, it adopts a more substantial form factor inspired by modern electronic hookahs.
The design focuses on:
The larger structure allows space for:
Compared with small disposable devices, the bigger body also helps create a more satisfying hookah-style experience.
The biggest highlight of the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah is its ultra-high puff rating.
With up to 80,000 puffs, the device is designed for extended use compared with traditional disposable vapes.
A high puff capacity means users can enjoy:
This makes the device suitable for:
However, actual puff numbers can vary depending on:
Flavor quality is one of the most important factors in a hookah-style vape.
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah is designed to provide:
The device uses advanced coil technology to improve vapor consistency and flavor reproduction. HQDβs newer hookah-style devices commonly use mesh coil systems to create fuller vapor and layered flavor performance.
Compared with standard disposable vapes, hookah-style devices typically aim for:
This makes them closer to a traditional hookah experience rather than a quick nicotine break.
A major limitation of many disposable vapes is battery life.
Because the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah is designed for a very high puff count, it requires a rechargeable battery system.
Benefits include:
USB Type-C charging is becoming standard across modern HQD rechargeable devices, providing faster and more convenient charging. HQDβs rechargeable disposable products commonly use Type-C charging systems for improved usability.
Users can recharge the device when needed and continue enjoying the remaining e-liquid capacity.
The hookah-style design focuses heavily on airflow.
A good airflow system helps deliver:
Compared with traditional mouth-to-lung disposable vapes, hookah-style devices usually provide a more open draw.
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah is designed for users who prefer:
One of the biggest advantages of disposable-style devices is convenience.
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah requires:
Users can simply:
This makes it suitable for beginners who want a simple experience without maintaining a traditional vape kit.
| Feature | HQD SiSA 80K Hookah | Standard Disposable Vape |
|---|---|---|
| Puff Capacity | Up to 80,000 puffs | Usually much lower |
| Design | Large hookah-style body | Compact |
| Vapor Production | Large clouds | Moderate |
| Battery | Rechargeable | Often smaller |
| Experience | Relaxed hookah-style vaping | Quick daily use |
| Maintenance | Simple | Simple |
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah is clearly designed for users who prioritize endurance and vapor production rather than maximum portability.
The device may appeal to users who want:
Extremely long-lasting performance
Large vapor production
Hookah-inspired experience
Rechargeable convenience
Fewer replacements
It may not be ideal for users who prefer:
The HQD SiSA 80K Hookah Disposable Vape represents the next generation of high-capacity vaping devices.
Instead of focusing only on portability, it combines:
For users looking for a long-lasting device with a more immersive vaping experience, the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah offers a unique alternative to traditional disposable vapes.
As the disposable vape market continues moving toward higher-capacity and rechargeable designs, products like the HQD SiSA 80K Hookah show how manufacturers are attempting to blend convenience with a more premium experience.
The post HQD SiSA 80K Hookah Disposable Vape Review: A New Era of High-Puff Hookah-Style Vaping appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.
A7 Smart 1080P WiFi PTZ Security Camera is a versatile wireless surveillance camera designed for home, office, and outdoor monitoring. Featuring 1080P Full HD video quality, PTZ panoramic movement, infrared night vision, motion detection, two-way audio, and wireless WiFi connectivity, the A7 provides an affordable way to improve security and monitor important areas remotely.
With its compact design and smart monitoring features, the A7 Smart Camera is suitable for users who want real-time viewing, family protection, pet monitoring, and property surveillance without complicated installation. Similar smart PTZ cameras commonly combine 1080P resolution, WiFi connection, motion detection, and two-way communication features for convenient remote monitoring.
The A7 Smart Security Camera delivers 1080P Full HD resolution, providing clear and detailed images for everyday monitoring.
The high-definition camera helps users capture:
Compared with lower-resolution cameras, 1080P provides sharper details, making it easier to identify objects and movements.
One of the key advantages of the A7 camera is its PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) design.
Unlike fixed-angle security cameras, PTZ cameras can adjust their viewing direction to cover a larger area.
Benefits include:
Users can control the camera direction through a connected mobile application, allowing them to check different areas without physically moving the device.
The A7 Smart Camera supports wireless WiFi connectivity, making installation easier without complicated network wiring.
Wireless advantages include:
The camera can be placed in locations such as:
Many smart WiFi cameras use 2.4GHz wireless networks because they provide stable coverage and better wall penetration for home environments.
Security problems can happen at any time, which is why the A7 includes infrared night vision technology.
The camera automatically switches between day and night modes, allowing users to monitor environments even in low-light conditions.
Night vision features help with:
This provides continuous surveillance without requiring additional lighting.
The built-in motion detection function helps users stay informed about unexpected activity.
When movement is detected, the camera can send notifications to the connected device, helping users respond quickly.
Motion detection is useful for:
Smart camera systems often combine motion detection with app notifications and recording functions for more convenient security management.
The A7 Smart PTZ Camera features two-way audio, allowing users to communicate remotely through the built-in microphone and speaker.
This function enables:
For example, users can answer the door remotely or speak to someone inside the home while away.
The cameraβs wide viewing capability helps cover more space with a single device.
It is suitable for monitoring:
The PTZ movement further improves coverage compared with traditional fixed cameras.
The A7 Smart WiFi Security Camera supports remote viewing, allowing users to check live footage from smartphones or tablets.
Remote monitoring features include:
Whether users are traveling, working, or outside the home, they can keep track of important areas remotely.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Name | A7 Smart WiFi PTZ Security Camera |
| Resolution | 1080P Full HD |
| Camera Type | Wireless IP Security Camera |
| Movement | PTZ Pan/Tilt |
| Connection | WiFi Wireless |
| Night Vision | Infrared Night Vision |
| Audio | Two-Way Audio |
| Detection | Motion Detection |
| Use | Indoor / Outdoor Monitoring |
| Storage | TF Card / Cloud Storage Support (depending on setup) |
The A7 camera is designed for simple installation. Users can connect it to WiFi, place it in the desired location, and start monitoring through the mobile application.
No complicated security system installation is required.
The camera is ideal for everyday security needs, including:
Parents can check on children remotely and communicate through two-way audio.
Pet owners can watch pets during work hours and interact with them remotely.
The camera helps monitor entrances, rooms, and outdoor areas for unexpected activity.
Small businesses can use it to monitor workspaces and improve security.
1080P Full HD video quality
PTZ rotating camera design
Wireless WiFi connection
Infrared night vision
Motion detection alerts
Two-way audio communication
Remote smartphone monitoring
Easy installation
The A7 Smart Camera is suitable for:
It is a practical choice for anyone who wants basic smart monitoring features without investing in expensive CCTV equipment.
A7 Smart 1080P WiFi PTZ Security Camera offers a strong combination of essential smart surveillance features, including Full HD video, PTZ movement, night vision, motion detection, WiFi connectivity, and two-way audio.
For everyday home monitoring and personal security needs, the A7 provides an easy-to-use and cost-effective solution. Its wireless design and remote access features make it a convenient choice for users who want smarter protection for their home, office, or outdoor spaces.
The post A7 Smart 1080P WiFi PTZ Security Camera Review: A Smart Home Surveillance Camera with Motion Detection and Two-Way Audio appeared first on IGeeKphone China Phone, Tablet PC, VR, RC Drone News, Reviews.
Neanderthals and modern humans did not simply occupy the same landscape and disappear from one anotherβs story. A study of ΓΓ§aΔΔ±zlΔ± II Cave in southern TΓΌrkiye points to a longer period of cultural continuity in the northern Levant, where stone tools, shell ornaments and other remains appear across a sequence spanning more than 20,000 years. [β¦]
The post Did Neanderthals and Modern Humans Share a Culture for 20,000 Years? appeared first on Curiosmos.
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