That is at present’s version of The Obtain, our weekday publication that gives a every day dose of what’s happening on the planet of expertise.
Are we alone within the universe?
The hunt to find out if anybody or something is on the market has gained larger scientific footing over the previous 50 years. Again then, astronomers had but to identify a single planet exterior our photo voltaic system. Now we all know the galaxy is teeming with a range of worlds.
We’re now getting nearer than ever earlier than to studying how frequent residing worlds like ours truly are. New instruments, together with synthetic intelligence, might assist scientists look previous their preconceived notions of what constitutes life.
Future devices will sniff the atmospheres of distant planets and scan samples from our native photo voltaic system to see in the event that they comprise telltale chemical compounds in the correct proportions for organisms to prosper. However figuring out whether or not these planets truly comprise organisms isn’t any simple process. Learn the complete story.
—Adam Mann
‘Are we alone?’ is the primary entry in our new mini-series The Largest Questions, which explores how expertise helps probe among the deepest, most mind-bending mysteries of our existence.
The US army’s privateness drawback in three charts
Extremely private and delicate information about army members, reminiscent of dwelling addresses, well being and monetary data, is well accessible to anybody who needs to purchase it. It’s on the market for as little as $0.12 per document by US-based information brokers.
That’s the discovering of a brand new report from Duke College researchers that exhibits how information brokers are promoting this form of data with minimal vetting to clients each domestically and abroad—creating main privateness and nationwide safety dangers.
For those who’re considering studying extra about simply what varieties of information is on the market by these brokers, in addition to their financial mannequin, our senior tech coverage reporter Tate Ryan-Mosley dug deeper into the report—with some shocking outcomes. Learn the complete story.
This story is from The Technocrat, MIT Expertise Assessment’s weekly tech coverage publication about energy, politics, and Silicon Valley. Enroll to obtain it in your inbox each Friday.
The must-reads
I’ve combed the web to search out you at present’s most enjoyable/necessary/scary/fascinating tales about expertise.
1 OpenAI needs a complete load extra money from Microsoft
To fund its ambitions to create synthetic common intelligence. (FT $)
+ OpenAI’s recruiters are making huge performs for Google’s expertise. (Insider $)
+ Contained in the thoughts of OpenAI’s chief scientist. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
2 NSO Group is attempting to revive its popularity (once more)
The Israeli spyware and adware agency is attempting to influence the US to reverse its blacklisting. (The Intercept)
+ The hacking business faces the tip of an period. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
three Our smartphones are highly effective propaganda manufacturing instruments
And understanding what to consider is changing into tougher by the day. (WSJ $)
four This animal liberation group is a well-oiled investigative machine
And it’s sharing its guerilla tech ways for the primary time. (Wired $)
5 China’s largest livestreamer is dropping his business clout 
Li Jiaqi’s falling cosmetics gross sales displays a weaker, thriftier financial system. (Bloomberg $)
+ Deepfakes of Chinese language influencers are livestreaming 24/7. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
6 Microbiome therapies are on the rise
Tablets containing organisms from feces could sound disgusting, however proof suggests they will succeed the place antibiotics fail. (Economist $)
+ How gene-edited microbiomes might enhance our well being. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
7 Who chooses these wild drug names?
Ozempic, Wegovy, and now Zepbound—are all certain by surprisingly strict guidelines. (Slate $)
+ Weight-loss injections have taken over the web. However what does this imply for folks IRL? (MIT Expertise Assessment)
eight Boomers love VR
They don’t actually care in regards to the metaverse, although. (The Data $)
+ Inside the comfy however creepy world of VR sleep rooms. (MIT Expertise Assessment)
9 Service pigeons could also be faster than your sluggish web 
Even when there’s no assure they received’t cease for just a little relaxation. (WP $)
10 Dropping your telephone doesn’t must be a catastrophe
There are particular steps you may take to make the entire course of much less painful. (Vox)
+ Beware your telephone’s selfie digital camera: it’s getting too good. (The Atlantic $)
Quote of the day
“The primary purpose folks get caught is as a result of they’re slacking. I’ve by no means been caught.”
—George, a software program engineer who’s held as much as 4 full-time jobs on the identical time, explains to Insider the complexities of juggling a number of jobs on the sly.
The massive story
These prosthetics break the mildew with third thumbs, spikes, and superhero skins
February 2023
Historically, prosthetics designers have regarded to the human physique for inspiration. Prosthetics had been seen as replacements for lacking physique components; hyper-realistic bionic legs and arms had been the holy grail.
However we’re now witnessing a motion in various prosthetics, a type of assistive tech that bucks conference by making no try and mix in. As a substitute of constructing units that mimic the looks of a “regular” arm or leg, a brand new wave of designers are creating fantastical prosthetics which may wriggle like a tentacle, mild up, and even shoot glitter. Learn the complete story.
—Joanna Thompson
We will nonetheless have good issues
A spot for consolation, enjoyable and distraction in these bizarre instances. (Received any concepts? Drop me a line or tweet ’em at me.)
+ Syrniki, tacky Ukrainian pancakes, sound like the proper treatment to winter climate.
+ LA’s cat patio motion can’t cease, received’t cease.
+ Prince was really one among a form—simply ask his buddies.
+ Get your week off to the most effective begin with this haunting choral association.
+ Even a foul cowl is an effective cowl in my guide.
