Astronomers see the formation of a new planetary system for the first time

Astronomers have seen for the first time how a new planetary system forms. The star HOPS 315, where the 'zero moment' was recorded, is literally a cosmic newcomer - it is only 100-200 thousand years old. Using the James Webb Telescope and the ALMA radio interferometer, scientists have managed to detect the formation of silicate crystals around the star. These are exactly the substances from which rocky planets like Earth are later formed. Scientists cannot yet say how many planets will appear around Hops 315, but they assume that the number will be close to that of our Solar System.

Largest Piece of Mars Sold at New York Auction

The largest 'piece' of Mars was sold at a New York auction. One of the auction participants purchased the 'largest piece of Mars on Earth,' paying about 5.3 million dollars for the meteorite. The rock weighs 24.49 kilograms, its length is 38 centimeters, width - 15 centimeters, height - 28 centimeters. Scientists believe the meteorite was ejected from the surface of Mars due to an asteroid. The fragment of the Red Planet likely traveled countless miles and landed in the Sahara Desert no earlier than November 2023: it was then discovered by a Nigerian meteorite hunter.

Harrison Ford Nominated for an Emmy for the First Time

Harrison Ford has been nominated for an Emmy for the first time in his career. He could win the award in the category of 'Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series' for his role in 'Therapy' on Apple TV+. Ford played the role of an experienced therapist and colleague of the main character at the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Center. The 77th Emmy Awards will be held on September 14. The leaders in nominations this year are the Apple TV+ series 'Severance' and 'The Studio'.

Flip Your iPhone to Save Battery

Flip your iPhone to drain less - an old, effective trick has resurfaced online, which genuinely extends the life of the smartphone. The iPhone has a built-in feature called Facedown Detection. It works simply: if the phone is screen-down, it doesn't light up with every notification. This is particularly useful when a lot of push notifications come in during the day. Even if the iPhone is just lying on the table, each push turns on the display and consumes battery. But if you keep it flipped, you can save up to 10–15% of the battery each day.

Keeper of 'Cursed' Annabelle Doll Dies at 54

The death of the 54-year-old keeper of the 'cursed and demon-possessed' Annabelle doll was reported by the New England Society for Psychic Research. Dan Rivera died on July 13 at a hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He suddenly fell ill, and CPR was of no help. This happened after Rivera took the doll for a 'walk' to the National Soldiers' Home building, which is allegedly haunted by ghosts, writes The Independent. Rivera avidly studied paranormal phenomena, which he had 'encountered at an early age in his home,' according to his biography. This time, Dan embarked on a tour across America with the Annabelle doll, showcasing it to the public.

AI makes stone architecture accessible to all

A startup called Monumental Labs has emerged in the USA, which creates carved sculptures using robots. Busts, monuments, gargoyles - any masterpiece is made incredibly fast. The developers want this beauty to become as widespread and cheap as bricks.

Drinkable KitKat: A New Innovation from Indonesia

A unique novelty has emerged in Indonesia for true lovers of experimentation - drinkable KitKat. This unusual product is a refreshing beverage, designed in the style of the famous chocolate bar, and created especially for those who are not afraid to experiment with flavors.

Close Friends Develop a Mental Connection

Chinese scientists have proven that the thoughts of friends are indeed synchronized - they literally 'read each other's minds'. The experiment involved 175 individuals who were all shown various advertisements. Through neuroimaging, the scientists observed that the brains of friends showed the same reaction to the advertised product.

Days in July and August will be shorter

On July 22 and August 15, the days will be less than 24 hours. This is due to the peculiarities of Earth's rotation. On these days, the duration of the day will decrease by approximately 1.3-1.5 milliseconds. The reason for this lies in changes in the speed of the planet's rotation, which directly depend on the position of the Moon. When the Moon shifts closer to Earth's poles and moves away from the equator, its gravitational influence on the planet slightly weakens. As a result, Earth starts rotating a bit faster, and the days become slightly shorter than the standard 24 hours.

Delivery Robots Take the Metro in Shenzhen

In Shenzhen, China, delivery robots have started to move through the metro, entering stations using elevators. To avoid hindering people, they operate only during off-peak times, assessing situations using AI, which is also used for route optimization. During the testing phase, the robots are tasked with replenishing the inventory of 7-Eleven stores in metro stations, but later they are intended to handle additional deliveries and become 'integrated into everyday life'.

People will soon chat with pets thanks to AI

People will soon be able to chat with their pets thanks to AI. A research center in the UK is currently working on these studies, exploring the consciousness and emotions of furry friends. Scientists believe that neural networks could elevate communication with four-legged pets to a new level. The main task now is to ensure that AI does not flatter users or say what they want to hear. According to researchers, this can be dangerous when it concerns the health of pets. Following that, a host of specialists – veterinarians, neuroscientists, philosophers, psychologists, and others – will train the neural networks to analyze animal behavior. It is planned that they will begin this year.

Amazing LEGO Technic Alternative from China

An amazing LEGO Technic alternative from China is called Tongshengju, and the highlight of their sets is the abundance of mechanized parts. Many cars are remote-controlled, with features like controllable suspension and doors, and the designs mimic real Lamborghini, Porsche, and Bugatti models. However, they are not official since the company does not have a license. They cost on average about $200.

Italian Biologists Develop Rice Strain for ISS

Italian biologists have developed a strain of rice suitable for cultivation on the ISS. Growing regular rice on the International Space Station is challenging due to its very long stalk. To solve this problem, Italian researchers used the genome editor CRISPR/Cas9. Scientists studied numerous mutant variations of rice and selected "super dwarf" samples with stalks shorter than ten centimeters. The team is currently continuing to improve the new varieties to achieve better yield and resilience.

Scientists Record Largest Black Hole Merger

Scientists have recorded the largest black hole merger in the history of observations. The black holes, each with a mass more than 100 times that of the sun, had been orbiting each other for a long time and finally collided, forming an even more massive black hole 10 billion light-years away from Earth. According to scientists, such massive black holes cannot arise from the usual evolution of stars. Likely, these objects were already the result of earlier mergers.

Scientists Discover Massive Network of Vanished Riverbeds on Mars

Scientists have discovered a massive network of vanished riverbeds on Mars. Researchers studied the sinuous ridges located in the southern highlands of Mars, in an area called Noachis Terra. They worked with data recorded by three modern orbital instruments. The team mapped the location and extent of the ridges. The result impressed the scientists: they discovered an incredibly long network of vanished riverbeds.

Famous Mazda at auction

In the UK, the famous Mazda RX-7 from the movie 'The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift' will be auctioned. The car features tuning by the Japanese studio Veilside and an original 280 hp engine. Unfortunately, the nitrous oxide tank in the cabin is just for show. The current owner purchased the car right after filming in 2006 and has driven it just over 100,000 km. It is expected to sell for at least €290,000.

AI-Driven Restaurant to Open in Dubai

A restaurant in Dubai will be opened where the chef will be artificial intelligence. In September, the WOOHOO restaurant will open near the Burj Khalifa, where the menu and atmosphere will be created by the AI model 'Chef Ayman'. Humans will still do the cooking, and the AI will assist with recipes by finding unusual flavor combinations and suggesting ways to use ingredients that are usually discarded.

Tesla integrates AI chatbot Grok into all vehicles

Tesla has added artificial intelligence Grok to all its vehicles - a smart chatbot that can chat with the driver 'instead of boring radio'. The assistant operates without restrictions while driving and knows a hundred languages, and later will learn to control climate, navigation, and other car functions.

Chinese Scientists Create Cyborg Bee

Chinese scientists have created a cyborg bee with a brain controller. The device weighs only 74 milligrams and is lighter than a nectar pouch that bees carry in nature. The controller is attached to the insect's back and transmits electrical impulses to the brain through three microscopic needles, causing the bee to fly in the desired direction. Control is achieved remotely using an infrared signal. According to the South China Morning Post, in 90% of cases, the bees accurately executed the commands. They outperform cockroaches and beetles in endurance: they can fly up to 5 km and carry up to 80% of their body weight. The development can be used in military reconnaissance and for locating survivors in natural disasters, as the miniature size allows bees to penetrate hard-to-reach areas. However, the technology currently requires wired power, and bee reaction to commands can be unstable.

Cheese in Spain sold for the price of an apartment

In Spain, a cheese was sold for the price of an apartment. The delicacy Cabrales became the most expensive cheese in history - it was aged in a cave for almost a year and then sold at auction for $32,000. The achievement has already been recorded in the Guinness Book.