science tech
TechnologyThe IndependentCoronavirus: NHS Covid-19 app ‘cannot process tens of thousands of test results’
Software cannot accept test results from hospitals or PHE labs
- TechnologySky video
Coronavirus: NHS tracing app does not work with more than 60,000 daily tests in England, developers sugges
The developers of the new NHS coronavirus tracing app have suggested that more than 60,000 tests carried out in England yesterday - just under a third of the total - cannot be linked to its systems.
TechnologyEvening StandardDIY community tech projects helping Londoners make gadgets last longer and cut e-waste
Tech giants must do more to help Londoners fix their own computers and phones so gadgets last longer, campaigners urged today.Thousands of consumers across the capital are seeking expert advice from professionals volunteering free time to can eke out years more life from their beloved gadgets.
ScienceSky NewsCoronavirus: Even scientists can't agree on how society should fight COVID-19
A "herd immunity" strategy - where the vulnerable are shielded and we are relaxed about others who are infected - is too risky when we don't know how long immunity lasts for.</p> <p>Steven Riley, professor of infectious disease dynamics at Imperial College, is concerned about judging the strength of immunity before we have more evidence.
HealthPA Media: UK NewsGovernment launches landmark genomic strategy
The strategy will also seek to provide more efficient and improved collaboration between researchers and clinicians.
NewsThe IndependentBritish military facing modern-day ‘blitz’ with 60 cyber attacks a day
UK’s armed forces face around 1,800 cyber attacks per month, British military official warns
BusinessAssociated PressGoogle parent agrees to $310M misconduct lawsuit settlement
Google's parent company has reached a $310 million settlement in a shareholder lawsuit over its treatment of allegations of executives' sexual misconduct. Alphabet Inc. said Friday that it will prohibit severance packages for anyone fired for misconduct or is the subject of a sexual misconduct investigation. A special team will investigate any allegations against executives and report to the board’s audit committee.
ScienceAssociated PressNew measurements show moon has hazardous radiation levels
China’s lander on the far side of the moon is providing the first full measurements of radiation exposure from the lunar surface, vital information for NASA and others aiming to send astronauts to the moon, the study noted. “This is an immense achievement in the sense that now we have a data set which we can use to benchmark our radiation" and better understand the potential risk to people on the moon, said Thomas Berger, a physicist with the German Space Agency's medicine institute. Astronauts would get 200 to 1,000 times more radiation on the moon than what we experience on Earth — or five to 10 times more than passengers on a trans-Atlantic airline flight, noted Robert Wimmer-Schweingruber of Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany.
PoliticsThe TelegraphSoldiers no longer need to be in physical prime in age of cyber warfare
Soldiers no longer need to be in their physical prime in the age of cyber warfare, the Strategy Command Chief has suggested, as he likened the onslaught of attacks to the Blitz. General Sir Patrick Sanders, Head of Strategic Command for the Ministry of Defence, said military who were tech facing were more crucial than ever as he revealed that every year the systems at MoD Corsham in Wiltshire managed “millions of network and cyber” attacks. As the Armed Forces seek to recruit personnel with “very different skill sets” it is understood that such recruits will not need to fit certain body types nor be subjected to fitness tests. “We are encouraging diversity in the way that traditional recruiting methods don’t,” Sir Patrick said. “The sort of people we are looking to attract and retain will look differently, will think differently, will behave differently and it’s a much more diverse workforce.” Sir Patrick warned that the drive for personnel with a cyber focus was due to the volume of cyber attacks MoD Corsham deals with. “Most are dealt with automatically, but around 1,800 per month - or 60 a day - require intervention,” he revealed. Sir Patrick also warned that while the UK is “not at war in cyberspace” if too many “bombers” continue to carry out cyber attacks at pace it could “sow the seeds of defeat”. “If this was an air war, it would be the Blitz,” Sir Patrick said. “Unlike the Blitz, there's no physical destruction, though there could be, as you've heard, and so thankfully it's bloodless but the intensity and the frequency of the attacks are on the same scale and if we let too many so called bombers and their payloads through then it will sow the seeds of defeat. Not immediately, but slowly, insidiously, corrosively and inevitably.” Earlier this year Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, told Sandhurst graduates that they would have to be more "unconventional" in warfare across cyber and space. Mr Wallace said their next stage of training would coincide with the publication of the highly anticipated Integrated Defence and Security Review, which he said would deliver "a force to meet tomorrow's battles". "As young officers, be prepared to be more active, more deployed and more unconventional," he said at a speech in August. "I want the Army to be, once again, forward deployed across the globe, and I want you all to have the capabilities to challenge in new domains of cyber and space." Sir Patrick added that the UK’s ability to defend itself in cyberspace “is at least as important as the Quick Ready Alert Typhoons from the Royal Air Force and the Fleet Ready Escort and Submarines in the Royal Navy”. “And if anything, even more so, because cyberspace is the most active domain, where adversaries and allies will meet over the next decade,” he said.
NewsThe TelegraphTheresa May's 'pie in the sky' satellite plan scrapped
A plan to replace the EU’s satellite navigation system with a post-Brexit UK equivalent is being scrapped by the Government amid reports Theresa May’s strategy for the technology was “unrealistic”. Mrs May planned for the UK to have its own satellite network for GPS, replicating a US system and the Galileo network built by the EU. The post-Brexit UK service, GNSS, has been mothballed after policymakers decided it was expensive and unnecessary. An industry source told Politico: “It was always a bit pie in the sky that we were going to build a global system. “There are a lot of drains on the government funding right now with Covid-19 and building something that you don’t have to build doesn’t seem the right way to go about things.” It is understood that contracts already issued for GNSS have now been discontinued. The GNSS system will be replaced with a new project the Government said would “explore new and alternative ways that could be used to deliver vital satellite navigation services to the United Kingdom”. It is expected to have smaller ambitions than Mrs May’s original plan. Alok Sharma, the Business Secretary, said the new project would “draw on the strengths of the UK’s already thriving space industry to understand our requirements for a robust and secure satellite navigation system”.
TechnologyThe TelegraphBluetooth heart monitor implant for Southampton firefighter in UK first
A bluetooth heart monitor that gives doctors second-by-second readings remotely has been implanted in a Southampton firefighter in the first case of its kind in Europe. Sian Jones has experienced unexplained fainting and blackouts since she was involved in a serious car crash as a teenager. Now 34, the retained firefighter is hoping to finally find out why the incidents happen, after a Bluetooth device the size of a paperclip was injected under her skin. The device, developed by tech firm Medtronic, allows doctors to monitor her heartbeat remotely and also allow Miss Jones to see the data on an app on her phone. It was installed during a ten minute operation carried out by the cardiology team at University Hospital Southampton. Its LINQ II system has been designed for patients who need long-term monitoring because they suffer unexplained palpitations, fainting episodes or blackouts. The device is paired to the patients’ mobile phone or tablet using Bluetooth and an app constantly records and shares second-by-second ECG data with their healthcare team, including any rhythm abnormality when it occurs. Cardiologists will also be able to change settings on the device remotely, enabling them to monitor a specific area like a patient’s heartbeat at certain times of the day without having to bring them in to hospital.
TechnologyAssociated PressHacked software provider acknowledges ransomware attack
A major U.S. provider of software services to state and local governments acknowledged Friday that it was hit by a ransomware attack two days after telling clients an unknown intruder had compromised its phone and information technology systems. Tyler Technologies said in a statement that it confirmed the intruder used ransomware but did not provide further details on its response, citing an ongoing investigation. Ransomware purveyors are increasingly breaking into company and government networks and siphoning out valuable data before scrambling them and demanding payouts.
- TechnologyReuters Videos
Amazon unveils home drone security camera
Amazon's indoor drone, the Ring Always Home Cam, available next year, aims to capture video where customers otherwise lack static cameras. It can show users video where an alarm has gone off, said Amazon Vice President Daniel Rausch. "It’s super reassuring to be able to get a view inside your home," he said in an interview. The device only records while flying, Ring said. The drone camera, which costs $249, represents Amazon's latest push into shoppers' homes, which evolved from package delivery years ago to gadgets that let consumers turn off the lights or stream media by voice command. Ring devices have garnered criticism from civil liberties advocates such as the San Francisco-based Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), which has said the company should end partnerships with police.
BusinessThe TelegraphDavid Miliband and John Browne join Giant Ventures, a new UK venture capital fund
Former foreign secretary David Miliband and ex-BP chief executive John Browne have joined a new venture capital firm that formally launched on Friday. The pair will sit on the advisory board of London and Los Angeles-based Giant Ventures, which will invest in the areas of the environment, health and wellness, sustainable cities and financial inclusion. Giant plans to invest $1bn over the next decade in backing companies throughout various stages of their lifespan. The company will have a “multi-stage” approach, meaning it will invest in both early and late-stage rounds. Investments in early-stage companies will average $1m, the company said. The new firm was co-founded by Cameron McLain and Tommy Stadlen. Mr McLain was previously a principal at London-based Hummingbird Ventures and founder of data analytics company Beehive, which was sold in 2016 to US real estate data company Wedgewood. Mr Stadlen also co-founded live photo app Swing Technologies, which was sold to Microsoft in 2017. “The world faces severe challenges, from climate change to pandemics, which governments cannot fix alone,” Mr McLain said. “Giant exists to fuel innovation that matters.” Mr Stadlen said he believed the largest companies of the decade will be those which are built to solve "critical societal and environmental problems”. While the company officially launched on Friday it has already invested in a series of start-ups, including sleep app Calm, US healthcare platform Sesame, and 3D printing platform Mighty Buildings. The company will draw on the expertise and contacts of Mr Browne and Mr Milliband to help identify future investment opportunities. Since leaving BP in 2007, Mr Browne was a managing partner at energy investor Riverstone Holdings. Mr Miliband is president of the International Rescue Committee, an aid organisation for victims of humanitarian crises. Giant has also recruited several other big names to its board, including David Helgason, the co-founder of Unity Software, the game engine company that listed earlier this month. Alice Steenland, chief sustainability officer of French technology company Dassault Systemes, and Tensie Whelan, director of New York University’s Stern Centre for Sustainable Business have also joined the venture capital firm. Pierre Denis, the former chief executive of luxury shoe brand Jimmy Choo, is a venture partner at the company. So-called “purpose-driven” investment has become increasingly popular among wealth firms in recent years. Environmental, societal, and governance (ESG) investing has reported enormous growth with the value of the industry now topping $30 trillion, according to McKinsey. The value of the industry is up 68pc since 2014. In June, Mr Miliband told the Telegraph that the US had been “running interference” on tackling the coronavirus crisis by fighting with the World Health Organisation. He outlined a “striking lack of global leadership” - particularly from the US - and the impact it has had on the ability of poorer countries to deal with the pandemic.
ScienceChristian Science MonitorDuring the coronavirus lockdown, some birds changed their tune
A study of white-crowned sparrows in San Francisco found that, as the city quieted, the birds began singing more softly and with a broader range.
ScienceThe GuardianUK scientists begin study of how long Covid can survive in the air
UK scientists begin study of how long Covid can survive in the air. Researchers will test length of time virus stays infectious in different climatic conditions
NewsThe TelegraphThe cracks between the Government and its scientists are beginning to show
Since the coronavirus pandemic began, ministers have insisted that science is their guiding light. So it was illuminating that the word "science" did not appear once in Boris Johnson's statement to the Commons on Tuesday, in which he outlined a raft of new restrictions (watch his statement on the measures in the video below).
EntertainmentDigital SpyAmazon unveils its own game streaming service called Luna
"No waiting for lengthy downloads or updates — just play"
TechnologyDigital TrendsHow to zip a file in Windows 10
File compression using the ZIP format is built into Windows 10. In this guide, we show how to zip a file in Windows 10 in three ways and how to unzip a file.
TechnologyPA Media: UK NewsExperts ‘alarmed’ by work on ‘personalised risk score’ for NHS Covid-19 app
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT also questioned why the QR code feature could not be made available for older smartphones.
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Fox Business Flash top headlines for September 25
Fox Business Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxBusiness.com.
BusinessThe TelegraphFortnite maker Epic Games acquires British start-up SuperAwesome
Fornite maker Epic Games has reached a deal to acquire SuperAwesome, the London-headquartered “kidtech” business which was founded by Irish entrepreneur Dylan Collins in 2013. SuperAwesome will remain independent as part of the deal and its headquarters will remain in London. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, although insiders said SuperAwesome investors will see a healthy return as a result of the sale. The company operates its “Kids Web Services” technology which helps developers to build software which is appropriate for children to use. It has worked with clients including LEGO, NBC Universal and Hasbro and its technology is used by more than 500 million children every month. SuperAwesome is expected to continue its client work, although a sale to Epic Games is likely to see its technology integrated into video games such as Fortnite in the coming months. The sale to Epic Games comes after Microsoft’s venture capital wing led a $17m (£13m) investment round into SuperAwesome in January. As well as Microsoft’s M12 Ventures, investors in the business include Deliveroo backer Hoxton Ventures and Mayfair Equity Partners. SuperAwesome’s latest set of accounts, filed last year, show the business doubled its revenues to £21m and trimmed its losses from £6.5m to £4.7m in 2018. The Telegraph reported last year that SuperAwesome had held talks with major banks about a possible float in either London or New York which could have valued the business as high as $600m. Tim Sweeney, the chief chief executive of Epic Games, said: “More kids interact online than ever before and now is the time to double down on their safety. SuperAwesome is the company developers want to work with to make better online content for kids.”
BusinessPA Media: TechFacebook critics form rival oversight board over concerns of threat to democracy
It comes as the social media giant's own independent board prepares to get started ahead of the US election.
- ScienceStoryful
Cuvier's Beaked Whale Breaks Record with Near-4-Hour Dive
A Cuvier’s beaked whale has spent three hours and 42 minutes underwater, researchers at Duke University reported, which is seven times longer than scientists expected the body and metabolism of these marine mammals to allow.The finding, published in the Journal of Experimental Biology, beat the previous record by over an hour.“This is just so beyond what we’ve seen before,” Andreas Fahlman, a physiologist at the Oceanographic Foundation of the Valencian Community in Spain and an author of the study, is quoted as saying. “They’re not supposed to be able to do this, but they do.” Credit: Duke University – Nicholas School of the Environment via Storyful
EntertainmentThe TelegraphHades review: a devilishly good time
Einstein famously defined insanity as doing the same thing again and again but expecting a different result each time. Quite would he made of ‘roguelikes', then, is anybody’s guess. The increasingly popular - and prevalent - game design trope tasks players with repeating procedurally-generated ‘runs’ ad infinitum, usually with character progress or resources carried over to increase incrementally the chance of success on each subsequent attempt. Hades applies the formula expertly to an equally polished isometric action RPG brawler, creating sadistic assault courses from strings of standalone rooms populated by an amusing menagerie of netherworldly creations, dastardly traps and melodramatic deities drawn from Greek mythology. Combat is crisp, chaotic and perfectly pitched on just the right side of frustrating. West Coast developers Supergiant Games - creators of quirky but celebrated indie hits Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre - conjure a surprising amount of tactical depth from half a dozen weapon types and a deceptively simple moveset comprising standard, heavy and ranged attacks; a rechargeable super; and a dash. The magic is provided by boons - quite literally gifts from the gods your character Prince Zagreus randomly encounters on each run and which completely transform his attempt to ascend from Hades to Mount Olympus . Zeus imbues your attacks with lighting damage which can jump from foe to foe; Dionysus add a hangover effect which damages enemies over time; and Aphrodite allows you to charm enemies, who then fight by your side. Hades was in ‘early access’ (ie released and then iterated upon on the fly) on PC for almost two years and the sheer volume of variables in this ‘finished’, fully-featured 1.0 release (also available on Nintendo Switch) is mind-boggling - and initially a little confusing. There’s around eight different forms of in-game currency alone, and enough upgrades and modifiers to give even Euclid a headache trying to track all the variables. However once you fall under Hades’ spell after a couple of runs the near limitless combinations of character builds becomes bewitching.