hunter-gatherers of sub-Saharan Africa gazed upon the meandering trail of stars and dust that split the night sky, they saw the embers of a campfire. Polynesian sailors perceived a cloud-eating shark. The ancient Greeks saw a stream of milk, gala, which would eventually give rise to the modern term “galaxy.” reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical and life sciences.In the 20th century, astronomers discovered that...…hunter-gatherers of sub-Saharan Africa gazed upon the meandering trail of stars and dust that split the night sky, they saw the embers of a campfire. Polynesian sailors perceived a cloud-eating shark. The ancient Greeks saw a stream of milk, gala, which would eventually give rise to the modern term “galaxy.” reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical and life sciences.In the 20th century, astronomers discovered that...WW…

reached a consensus in the 1980s that most of the mass in the universe is invisible—that “dark matter” must glue galaxies together and gravitationally as a whole—experimentalists have hunted for the nonluminous particles. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical and life sciences.They first set out in pursuit of a heavy, sluggish form of dark matter called a weakly interacting massive particle, or WIMP—the early...…reached a consensus in the 1980s that most of the mass in the universe is invisible—that “dark matter” must glue galaxies together and gravitationally as a whole—experimentalists have hunted for the nonluminous particles. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical and life sciences.They first set out in pursuit of a heavy, sluggish form of dark matter called a weakly interacting massive particle, or WIMP—the early...WW…

A team of physicists in New York has discovered a material that conducts electricity with perfect efficiency at room temperature—a long-sought scientific milestone. The hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur compound operates as a superconductor at up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the team . That’s more than 50 degrees higher than the previous high-temperature superconductivity record, set last year. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and...…A team of physicists in New York has discovered a material that conducts electricity with perfect efficiency at room temperature—a long-sought scientific milestone. The hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur compound operates as a superconductor at up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the team . That’s more than 50 degrees higher than the previous high-temperature superconductivity record, set last year. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and...WW…

Key PointsIn June, the U.S. government of world's supply of remdesivir—a FDA-approved antiviral treatment for —for July through September. , the company that makes the compound, that it would meet international demand by the end of October. Yet all along, digital instructions for whipping up a batch of the nearly 400-atom molecule at the push of a button , an online software repository, freely available to anyone with the hardware needed to execute the chemical "program." A dozen such chemical computers or "chemputers" sit in the University of Glasgow lab of , the chemist who designed the...…Key PointsIn June, the U.S. government of world's supply of remdesivir—a FDA-approved antiviral treatment for —for July through September. , the company that makes the compound, that it would meet international demand by the end of October. Yet all along, digital instructions for whipping up a batch of the nearly 400-atom molecule at the push of a button , an online software repository, freely available to anyone with the hardware needed to execute the chemical "program." A dozen such chemical computers or "chemputers" sit in the University of Glasgow lab of , the chemist who designed the...WW…

physicists in New York has discovered a material that conducts electricity with perfect efficiency at room temperature—a long-sought scientific milestone. The hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur compound operates as a superconductor at up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the team . That’s more than 50 degrees higher than the previous high-temperature superconductivity record, set last year. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical...…physicists in New York has discovered a material that conducts electricity with perfect efficiency at room temperature—a long-sought scientific milestone. The hydrogen, carbon, and sulfur compound operates as a superconductor at up to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, the team . That’s more than 50 degrees higher than the previous high-temperature superconductivity record, set last year. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research develop­ments and trends in mathe­matics and the physical...WW…

of the birth of the cosmos goes something like this: Nearly 14 billion years ago, a tremendous amount of energy materialized as if from nowhere. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research developments and trends in mathematics and the physical and life sciences.In a brief moment of rapid expansion, that burst of energy inflated the cosmos like a balloon. The expansion straightened out any large-scale curvature, leading to a . Matter also thoroughly mixed together, so that now...…of the birth of the cosmos goes something like this: Nearly 14 billion years ago, a tremendous amount of energy materialized as if from nowhere. reprinted with permission from , an editorially independent publication of the whose mission is to enhance public understanding of science by covering research developments and trends in mathematics and the physical and life sciences.In a brief moment of rapid expansion, that burst of energy inflated the cosmos like a balloon. The expansion straightened out any large-scale curvature, leading to a . Matter also thoroughly mixed together, so that now...WW…

Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Alameda County, California, where Tesla's Fremont factory is.The factory has been closed since March 23, when Alameda County ordered it to shut down as part of social-distancing measures directed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.In , Tesla alleges the shutdown ignores an earlier order that permits businesses in "16 crucial infrastructure industries," including transportation, to continue work. It alleges the decision is both unconstitutional and "inexplicable" and says there is "no rational basis" for the facility's closure.The company is hoping for an...…Tesla has filed a lawsuit against Alameda County, California, where Tesla's Fremont factory is.The factory has been closed since March 23, when Alameda County ordered it to shut down as part of social-distancing measures directed at curbing the spread of COVID-19.In , Tesla alleges the shutdown ignores an earlier order that permits businesses in "16 crucial infrastructure industries," including transportation, to continue work. It alleges the decision is both unconstitutional and "inexplicable" and says there is "no rational basis" for the facility's closure.The company is hoping for an...WW…

Jeff Bezos has resumed day-to-day management of Amazon amid turbulent times for the retail giant.The company that Bezos has, in the newspaper's words, "turned back to the here-and-now problems facing Amazon" as the firm effectively becomes the world's supermarket during global lockdowns.Bezos' day-to-day work involves a mix of practical decisions and public relations.Bezos had outsourced the bulk of everyday decision-making to his deputies, instead focusing on high-impact and long-term projects such as the development of voice assistant Alexa or the cashierless Amazon Go stores.The NYT...…Jeff Bezos has resumed day-to-day management of Amazon amid turbulent times for the retail giant.The company that Bezos has, in the newspaper's words, "turned back to the here-and-now problems facing Amazon" as the firm effectively becomes the world's supermarket during global lockdowns.Bezos' day-to-day work involves a mix of practical decisions and public relations.Bezos had outsourced the bulk of everyday decision-making to his deputies, instead focusing on high-impact and long-term projects such as the development of voice assistant Alexa or the cashierless Amazon Go stores.The NYT...WW…

The long-running saga between Adam Neumann and SoftBank is far from over.The disgraced former WeWork CEO reportedly intends to sue SoftBank, after it rowed back on a $3 billion offer to buy WeWork shares. That's according to a letter , which was sent by SoftBank's lawyer to the board of We Company, WeWork's parent firm.The letter, from SoftBank's lawyer, reportedly states: "Adam Neumann has also said that he intends to file a complaint."Neumann was ousted from WeWork in September 2019 after the firm's IPO fell apart, but was due to benefit from SoftBank's subsequent share purchase scheme to...…The long-running saga between Adam Neumann and SoftBank is far from over.The disgraced former WeWork CEO reportedly intends to sue SoftBank, after it rowed back on a $3 billion offer to buy WeWork shares. That's according to a letter , which was sent by SoftBank's lawyer to the board of We Company, WeWork's parent firm.The letter, from SoftBank's lawyer, reportedly states: "Adam Neumann has also said that he intends to file a complaint."Neumann was ousted from WeWork in September 2019 after the firm's IPO fell apart, but was due to benefit from SoftBank's subsequent share purchase scheme to...WW…

Taiwan's government has banned all official use of Zoom, dealing yet another blow to the video-conferencing service.In published Tuesday, and translated via Google, the Taiwanese government's executive branch said that "if agencies must hold remote videoconferencing for business needs, they should not use products with security concerns such as Zoom.""At present, all major international information service providers provide free software during the epidemic, such as Google or Microsoft. Under the security risk assessment, [these] can be considered for use," it continued.Zoom in the past...…Taiwan's government has banned all official use of Zoom, dealing yet another blow to the video-conferencing service.In published Tuesday, and translated via Google, the Taiwanese government's executive branch said that "if agencies must hold remote videoconferencing for business needs, they should not use products with security concerns such as Zoom.""At present, all major international information service providers provide free software during the epidemic, such as Google or Microsoft. Under the security risk assessment, [these] can be considered for use," it continued.Zoom in the past...WW…

WeWork is reportedly preparing a fresh round of layoffs for 2020 that could impact more than 1,000 staff.According to anonymous sources , WeWork CEO Sandeep Mathrani is mulling new cuts to curb the firm's spending.Mathrani has . WeWork earlier laid off 2,400 staff in November 2019, per .While the sources couldn't put an exact number on staff who might be cut, one source said the cuts could happen in the next two to three months.Compounding WeWork's woes, the coronavirus epidemic is likely to become an albatross around the firm's neck, as its very business proposition – flexible,...…WeWork is reportedly preparing a fresh round of layoffs for 2020 that could impact more than 1,000 staff.According to anonymous sources , WeWork CEO Sandeep Mathrani is mulling new cuts to curb the firm's spending.Mathrani has . WeWork earlier laid off 2,400 staff in November 2019, per .While the sources couldn't put an exact number on staff who might be cut, one source said the cuts could happen in the next two to three months.Compounding WeWork's woes, the coronavirus epidemic is likely to become an albatross around the firm's neck, as its very business proposition – flexible,...WW…

The European Union may force makers of smartphones, tablets and wireless earphones to use easily replaceable batteries with their devices., which obtained a draft of the EU's plans, the EU's executive arm – the European Commission – is drafting a proposal to force vendors to do this.Het Financieele Dagblad added that officials plan to formally submit their proposal for public discussions next month.The EU's plan ties in with its larger goal of reducing e-waste – the waste generated by redundant, non-recyclable electronic devices.Many smartphones sport sealed battery compartments that...…The European Union may force makers of smartphones, tablets and wireless earphones to use easily replaceable batteries with their devices., which obtained a draft of the EU's plans, the EU's executive arm – the European Commission – is drafting a proposal to force vendors to do this.Het Financieele Dagblad added that officials plan to formally submit their proposal for public discussions next month.The EU's plan ties in with its larger goal of reducing e-waste – the waste generated by redundant, non-recyclable electronic devices.Many smartphones sport sealed battery compartments that...WW…

Apple CEO Tim Cook has defended the existence of monopolies in business while also denying that Apple has a monopoly in any sector.In , during which Cook discussed a range of topics including Apple's treatment of competitors, he said a monopoly "by itself isn't bad if it's not abused.""The question for those companies is, do they abuse it?" he said. "And that is for regulators to decide, not for me to decide."Cook insisted Apple was not a monopoly — a line he has maintained for the duration of his tenure, despite Apple having faced multiple complaints of anticompetitive behavior from app...…Apple CEO Tim Cook has defended the existence of monopolies in business while also denying that Apple has a monopoly in any sector.In , during which Cook discussed a range of topics including Apple's treatment of competitors, he said a monopoly "by itself isn't bad if it's not abused.""The question for those companies is, do they abuse it?" he said. "And that is for regulators to decide, not for me to decide."Cook insisted Apple was not a monopoly — a line he has maintained for the duration of his tenure, despite Apple having faced multiple complaints of anticompetitive behavior from app...WW…