A woman in China left an inheritance for her pets

A woman in China has left her entire inheritance to her dogs and cats. She left $2.8 million to her pets, while her children received nothing. They did not visit the elderly woman when she was sick, but the dogs and cats were always by her side. Now, a veterinary clinic will manage the money. The staff will have to take care of the woman's pets and their offspring forever.

Handwriting is More Beneficial for the Brain than Typing

Norwegian scientists have found that handwriting is more actively engaging various brain structures, leading to greater brain connectivity and better learning compared to typing on a keyboard. The study involved 36 university students, whose brain activity was monitored using high-frequency electroencephalography and 256 sensors on their heads.

Miraculous Gene Therapy Cures Child's Deafness in the US

A child named Aissam, who has been unable to hear since childhood due to a rare gene anomaly, has been successfully treated for deafness using gene therapy in the United States. Doctors performed a procedure on the eardrum and administered a harmless virus injection that introduced the otoferlin gene into the child's body. This gene is essential for converting sound vibrations into signals in the brain. After four months, the child's hearing significantly improved, allowing him to hear sounds for the first time in his life. However, Aissam may still not start speaking.

Rising number of suicides

The number of suicides among men in Japan has increased for the second consecutive year, according to a report from the country's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. In 2023, nearly 15,000 men took their own lives in Japan, which is 108 more than in 2022. Among those who ended their lives, over 9,400 men belonged to the age group of 30 to 60 years, marking a 3.3% increase compared to 2022.

Dangerous salad

Salad grown on board the International Space Station (ISS) alongside other vegetables can be dangerous when consumed. This conclusion was reached by American scientists from the University of Delaware. The study was conducted using a device called a clinostat, which allows for the simulation of weightlessness conditions for plant organisms. According to the researchers, microgravity on the ISS makes plants more vulnerable to pathogens inhabiting the station. Among them are dangerous microbes, including salmonella and E. coli.

Apple allows third-party app stores

Apple has officially permitted third-party app stores on the iPhone, starting with the iOS 17.4 update, but only in the European Union. All new stores will be reviewed by the company, but the apps within them will not. Users will be able to download everything from the browser. Additionally, developers can use alternative payment methods, and banks and payment apps can release their own versions of ApplePay. Furthermore, AppStore has finally approved game streaming apps like GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud, and others. They are now available worldwide.

Opera has an ideal job opening

According to Opera, their key employee on the issues of peace and mental balance, after seven years of solitary sessions in a browser on a small island off the coast of Iceland, was so enriched in his knowledge that he decided to go on vacation. And, they say, it needs to be replaced. Salary $10,000 per month.

M&M's Championship Rings

M&M's company has created championship rings made of peanut butter for the Super Bowl. The rings, named Almost Champions, are made of 14-karat gold and encrusted with diamonds. When the ring opens, there is a secret compartment inside that holds a mini replica of a football stadium, designed to hold one M&M's candy. The diamonds for the ring were manufactured in a specialized laboratory using M&M's peanut butter, which was placed under immense pressure at a temperature of 3000°C. The resulting synthetic diamonds have been cut and polished. The rings are designed to comfort those who have placed second in the Super Bowl.

Porsche Unveils First Electric Crossover Macan 4 with Impressive Specifications

Porsche has introduced its first electric crossover, the Macan 4. In its top configuration, it offers a range of up to 784 km and a maximum speed of 260 km/h, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.1 seconds. All versions feature rear-wheel steering, pneumatic suspension, and an 80% charge in only 21 minutes. The base version starts from $80,450, while the Turbo with 630 horsepower starts from $106,950.

Diet of Stone Age peoplе

Scientists have revealed the diet of Stone Age people by analyzing DNA in chewing gum resin. This has helped to learn more about what they ate. The diet of Stone Age teenagers included venison, trout, and nuts. Traces of apple, duck, and fox were also found in the resin. One of the samples indicated the presence of periodontitis in humans. Hunter-gatherers likely chewed resin to use it as glue for making tools and weapons, but there may have been medical reasons as well.

Uncultured parrots

A British zoo is attempting to stop parrots from swearing and insulting visitors. The problem started back in 2020 when five parrots were separated from the rest because of their terrible language. Now, the zoo wants to reintegrate them with the other birds, hoping they will learn to use kind words.

Scientists in Japan Develop Artificial Spider Silk

Scientists in Japan have successfully learned how to weave spider silk. The RIKEN Institute has created an artificial gland that mimics the natural process of producing one of the strongest fibers in the world. This discovery could revolutionize the textile industry.

Remote work: saving up to 30-50%

Remote work reduces expenses by 30-50%. Thanks to working from home, it is possible to save on clothing, cosmetics, transportation, taxis, and dining out. 67% of remote workers save up to 30 thousand rubles per month. The remaining 33% have reduced their expenses even more.

Startup Minimal

Startup Minimal has unveiled a smartphone designed to combat addiction to social media. It features a black and white display, similar to e-readers, that prevents users from getting stuck in social media feeds. The phone also includes a physical keyboard, a user-friendly system with large icons, and supports Google services for work applications such as email and documents. Minimal Phone is currently crowd-funding for its manufacturing start-up and plans to sell it for $300-400.

Impact of Insect Decline on Plant Reproduction

Plants have increasingly resorted to self-pollination due to the decrease in the number of insects. French scientists have found that the decline in insect population has led to changes in plant reproduction. They rely less on cross-pollination with other species and self-pollinate more frequently. The researchers conducted genetic analysis of field violets and compared them with older specimens. The results showed that the flower surface and nectar quantity have decreased over several decades. This radical shift in evolution can have serious consequences. It will accelerate the decline in insect population and make plants less diverse and vulnerable to environmental changes.

Sports Equipment with Built-in Mini Games in Germany

Sports equipment with built-in mini games is being manufactured in Germany. To keep people entertained during workouts, individuals participate in quests and solve puzzles.

Contenders for the 2024 Oscars announced

The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the list of contenders for the 2024 Oscars. Competing for the award in the Best Picture category are: American Chitivo, Anatomy of a Fall, Oppenheimer, Barbie, Poor Unfortunates, Left Behind, Killers of the Flower Moon, Maestro, Past Lives, Zone of Interest. The 96th Academy Awards ceremony will take place on March 10th at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Сoffee for dogs

The US has come up with soluble coffee for dogs. The drink is made from goat's milk and medicinal mushrooms. The manufacturer claims that this coffee is safe for pets and does not contain caffeine. The available flavors are caramel latte, mocha latte, and pumpkin latte.

The first liquid RAM

China has created the world's first liquid random-access memory (RAM). It is made using a viscous metal called gallium, and a single droplet can store 8 bytes of data. Currently, the technology only supports 3500 write cycles, so it still has a long way to go before it can compete with modern solid-state RAM. However, it is currently only a proof of concept. On the other hand, this new type of memory exhibits other useful properties that current models lack. For instance, it can retain data for up to 12 hours when powered off, which could potentially lead to the development of a permanent flexible storage solution if the technology can be further advanced.

100 thousand pounds for a joke

An 18-year-old tourist from Britain is facing a fine of £100,000 for a joke he made on Snapchat. Before his flight, the young man joked in a chat with friends that as soon as they board the plane, he will blow it up. Since the message was sent using Wi-Fi at the airport, it was quickly intercepted by security services. After takeoff, fighter jets were deployed to accompany the plane.