Meetings Lead to Hangover Syndrome

Calls and meetings lead to hangover syndrome – endless meetings and discussions literally exhaust the brain. Scientists have called this 'meeting hangover,' a syndrome in which, after meetings, a person loses concentration, thinks worse, and cannot work normally. The problem affects 90% of office employees, and 28% experience such severe stress that they are ready to resign. The main reason is meaningless conversations and empty discussions.

SpaceX conducts new Starship test flight

SpaceX conducted a new test flight of the Starship - the rocket had to be blown up again. As planned, the Super Heavy booster returned to the launch pad, where it was caught by 'claws', but the connection with the ship was lost shortly after launch. There will be several more launches this year, and by 2026, an unmanned Starship prototype is planned to be sent to Mars.

The Thai Polar Light

Off the coast of Thailand, a special 'Thai polar light' can be observed - it comes from fishing boats, whose lights are visible even from orbit. At night, numerous boats turn on powerful green lamps, attracting plankton, followed by fish and squid. Sometimes there are so many that almost the entire sky over the water is flooded with green.

Meta's Mind-Reading Neural Network

Meta has developed a neural technology that reads thoughts with 80% accuracy. The model reconstructs sentences from brain activity by reading EEG and MEG data, converting them into text. Brain2Qwerty can say what a person is thinking with 80% accuracy. Potentially, this is a very dangerous technology that could jeopardize the privacy of people's thoughts.

Teleperformance neutralizes Indian accent

The world's largest call center network, Teleperformance, which is used by Apple, Samsung, and others, has implemented technology to 'neutralize' the Indian accent among its employees. A specially trained neural network transforms speech in real-time for the interlocutor so that it sounds 'clearer and more understandable', as if speaking with a native speaker. The development cost $13 million.

Quantum Chip Developed in China

In China, a quantum chip has been developed that is one quadrillion times faster than the world's best supercomputer. Zuchongzhi-3 by USTC scientists operates on 105 qubits and performs the most complex tasks in the blink of an eye. The previous record holder, Google Sycamore, had only 67 qubits.

China's Mixue surpasses McDonald's

The Chinese network Mixue has surpassed McDonald's in the number of locations and has become the most extensive globally. The Chinese catering network specializes in selling ice cream and tea beverages (including cold tea, bubble tea, and fruit tea) under the Mixue Ice Cream & Tea brand. The company has already opened 45,000 of its establishments compared to 43,000 at McDonald's (which is 2.5 times older) or 41,000 at Starbucks. 99% of all Mixue outlets are in China and other Asian countries.

Animal Phone Unveiled at MWC 2025

With PetPhone, your pet is always 'in touch'. The gadget can recognize the 'language' of animals and call the owner if needed. For example, to calm your dog when it is anxious. In addition, the 'phone' monitors the pet's health and relays its location.

The most powerful Harley-Davidson in history announced

The most powerful Harley-Davidson in history has been announced - the motorcycle features a 2147 cc engine producing 153 hp. The CVO Road Glide RR 2025 can lean up to 36 degrees to the right and 35 to the left. Equipment includes a titanium Akrapovic exhaust system, Brembo brakes, and fully adjustable Öhlins suspension used in superbikes. Harley-Davidson will release only 131 units priced from $110,000.

Isaac Newton's Beer Mug

For the first time in 160 years, residents and visitors of London will be able to see an iconic artifact - the wooden beer mug of the famous scientist Isaac Newton. Scientists Carmichael Wallace and Stephen Snobelen have been reconstructing the true history of the item for 20 years through genealogical records, journals, newspapers, and family legacies of the legendary English physicist and mathematician.

Scientists Create a New 'Mammoth'

Scientists have created a new 'mammoth' - they found similar genes in mice and modified them. As a result, ordinary laboratory rodents developed long, wavy, and light-colored fur, similar to that of real mammoths that went extinct 4000 years ago. Now researchers want to modify elephant DNA to turn them into real mammoths.

World's First Biocomputer with Human Brain Cells Created in Australia

In Australia, the world's first biocomputer with human brain cells has been created. The device by Cortical Labs works on neurons grown from stem cells and they constantly evolve. The gadgets are intended for training AI and will also be sold for $30,000.

BYD and DJI Begin Selling Car Roof Drone Launch System

Chinese company BYD, in collaboration with DJI, has begun selling a car roof drone launch system available for all its vehicles. The drone is designed to capture landscapes and stunning shots near the car, as well as aid in off-road navigation. It takes off at the press of a button and automatically returns to its place.

Portable Sun Invented in the Netherlands

A portable sun has been invented in the Netherlands. The SunBooster gadget is installed in place of a webcam and 'bathes' users in near-infrared radiation, mimicking sunlight. It features a scale indicating whether you have received your daily 'dose of Sun.'

Private Spacecraft Lands on the Moon Successfully

A private spacecraft has successfully landed on the Moon for the first time. The American Firefly module will operate on the satellite for about 14 days and take pictures of the eclipse when the Earth blocks the Sun, after which it will shut down due to the lunar night. Onboard are 10 scientific instruments, including a 'space vacuum cleaner.' Last year, another private module landed on the Moon, but it tipped over.

Audi Closes Brussels Factory

Audi has closed its factory in Brussels, which has been operational since 1948, due to increasing competition from Chinese car brands and declining sales of electric cars. Once, the factory produced Volkswagen Beetle, Golf, and other iconic models, and in recent years, it has been assembling electric Audi Q8 e-trons. Laid-off employees (about three thousand) will receive bonuses and retraining offers.

“Anora” - Best Film of the Year at the Oscars 2025

“Anora” - Best Film of the Year at the Oscars 2025. The film took home five Oscars, including the most important one: Best Picture; Best Original Screenplay; Best Editing; Best Directing; Best Actress.

Elon Musk becomes a father for the fourteenth time

Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, the mother of Musk's children, announced this on social network X. She shared that the couple has chosen the name Seldon Lycurgus for the child. It was also recently revealed for the first time that the name of the couple's third child together is Arcadia, a daughter whose birth was announced in June 2024.

Anti-aging pills for dogs could be available this year

Anti-aging pills for dogs might become available as early as this year. Startup Loyal has received preliminary FDA approval for a drug that extends the life of dogs over 10 years old and weighing more than 6 kg, by improving metabolic fitness – the body's ability to convert nutrients into energy, which declines with age in both dogs and humans. The beef-flavored pills will cost less than $100 a month and could be on sale by the end of 2025.

Jeff Bezos to Send Singer and Fiancée to Space

Billionaire Jeff Bezos is set to send singer Katy Perry, his fiancée, and four other women into space. This will be the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963. The launch on his company Blue Origin’s spacecraft will take place in the spring - the capsule will ascend to an altitude just above 100 km and spend several minutes in weightlessness.