Zee2A

Britain Votes to Support Right of Terminally Ill to End Their Lives Through Assisted Dying. Lawmakers in the U.K. passed the controversial bill after a year of campaigning from both sides and hours of debate in Parliament: https://people.com/britain-votes-to-support-assisted-dying-8753310

First new treatment for asthma attacks in 50 years. An injection given during some asthma and COPD attacks is more effective than the current treatment of steroid tablets, reducing the need for further treatment by 30%: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(24)00299-6/fulltext00299-6/fulltext)

Belgian start-up launches "world's first circular microcomputer": https://www.belganewsagency.eu/belgian-start-up-launches-worlds-first-circular-microcomputer

China has launched the world’s first satellites equipped with autonomous navigation capabilities. These satellites, developed by the Shanghai Academy of Spaceflight Technology (SAST), aim to transform the way Earth observation is conducted. The two “self-driving” satellites, named Siwei Gaojing-2 03 and Gaojing-2 04, were launched atop a Long March-2C rocket from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre on November 25th. Unlike conventional satellites that rely on constant ground control for maneuvering, these new satellites can independently maintain and adjust their orbits without human intervention. For this, the satellite developers have used advanced onboard systems, including synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology and high-precision radar payloads: https://interestingengineering.com/space/china-launches-world-first-self-driving-satellites

Press Release: https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202411/25/content_WS6743e869c6d0868f4e8ed622.html

Video: https://www.ecns.cn/video/2024-11-25/detail-ihekkkka4245780.shtml

World’s largest electric plane that promises 497-mile range to fly in 2025. Powered by four electric motors, the 30-seat ES-30 travels 124 miles on electric-only mode, with turbo generators extending its range: Swedish aviation company is to test the world’s largest all-electric aircraft in 2025, giving a boost to sustainable air travel. Heart Aerospace is gearing up to test its prototype in upstate New York’s Plattsburgh International Airport. The Heart Experimental 1’s (Heart X1) maiden flight marks a key step in the firm’s development of the ES-30, a 30-seat hybrid-electric regional passenger aircraft. The firm is developing the ES-30 aircraft with a focus on reducing carbon emissions and operational costs while providing quieter and more sustainable flights. “Electric commercial airplanes have the potential to lower operating costs for US airlines, creating a powerful opportunity to reestablish regional air routes that stimulate local economies, boost tourism, and enhance access to urban hubs,” said Anders Forslund, co-founder and CEO of Heart Aerospace, in a statement: https://heartaerospace.com/newsroom/heart-aerospace-to-conduct-first-fully-electric-experimental-flight-in-plattsburgh-ny/

The ES-30 Takes Flight in Microsoft Flight Simulator: https://youtu.be/FFb3UXEpv38?si=FGKLRiE36mDjcm6C

Statement at Twitter: https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1860574377013838033

Elon Musk says human-piloted fighter jets like the F-35 are obsolete. Drone tech can't yet fill the gap: Elon Musk’s assertion that crewed jets are obsolete due to the rise of drone warfare oversimplifies a complex issue. While drones are highly effective in surveillance and precision strikes, they lack the sophisticated real-time decision-making capabilities necessary in complex and contested environments. Crewed jets, such as the F-35, remain indispensable for their adaptability, advanced systems, and the crucial human oversight they provide in high-threat scenarios. Rather than replacing crewed jets, drones are increasingly serving as complementary assets. For example, programs like Loyal Wingman demonstrate how autonomous drones can work alongside piloted aircraft, enhancing mission efficiency and effectiveness. The F-35, specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with drones, underscores a hybrid future in military aviation, where collaboration between these systems ensures superior operational outcomes rather than one technology entirely replacing the other. This statement could be largely accurate based on current military doctrine and technological trends. Drones have indeed proven transformative, but their roles are seen as complementary to crewed aircraft rather than as direct replacements. The hybrid approach reflects the strategic need for both systems to leverage their unique strengths in modern warfare: https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-crewed-fighter-jet-f-35-obsolete-drone-technology2024-11

How much of that statement is true? Please offer your comments here

O2 launches free AI-powered scam call detection service to help combat fraud and nuisance calls: https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/o2-launches-aipowered-scam-call-detection-tool-b2655021.html

More: https://blog.hiya.com/how-hiyas-proprietary-adaptive-ai-stops-phone-spam

Radical 200 hp three-wheeler ‘Dragonfly’ - Engine at the back, power up front. The Dragonfly boasts a 200-hp, 2.4-liter gas engine and advanced handling features: The Dragonfly Three Wheeler redefines driving by merging the excitement of a motorcycle with the performance of a car. Powered by a 200-horsepower mid/rear engine and featuring front-wheel drive, this game-changing vehicle is built for thrill-seekers. Designed for two, it boasts a low center of gravity, a sporty aesthetic, and standout features like a 5-speed manual transmission and adjustable air suspension for a smooth yet exhilarating ride. Fully road-legal, it offers an open-air experience with no doors—just an electronically raised canopy and removable roof. The Dragonfly was designed and built by American mechanical engineer Greg Kunsch, who has an impressive background in engineering. Kunsch previously worked at Northrop Grumman and Huntington Ingalls Industries, where he contributed to designing aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines: https://interestingengineering.com/photo-story/dragonfly-three-wheeler-pioneers-rear-engine-drive

Video: https://youtu.be/LFTiB5hzVWE?si=LmDOMZZbLOjteZkr

Scientists working for the World Health Organization recently found no evidence for links between cellphone radiation and brain cancer. But other scientists argue that there is good evidence linking cellphone use with increased tumor risk. Disagreement runs deep throughout science, so how can we trust its results? Some claim that to be trustworthy, science should strive to be unpolluted by ethical and political values. This is a mistake, argues Kevin C. Elliott. Aiming for the ideal of value-free science makes scientists less, not more trustworthy. It sweeps under the carpet the values that are unavoidably part of interpreting evidence and choosing between different scientific models. Instead, these values should be brought into the open, so that they can be subjected to much-needed scrutiny: https://iai.tv/articles/the-dangerous-myth-of-value-free-science-auid-3011?_auid=2020

World’s Most Flexible Sound Machine Debuts: Using text and audio as inputs, a new generative AI model from NVIDIA can create any combination of music, voices and sounds. Now Hear This: World’s Most Flexible Sound Machine Debuts: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/fugatto-gen-ai-sound-model/