There are around 500 wild horses on the Kaimanawa Ranges, but conservation groups say numbers need to be cut to 300 for the health of the animals and the environment. Read...

An Australian company called Cortical Labs has developed a computer powered by lab-grown human brain cells, Gizmodo reports. The computer, known as CL1, is described as the world’s first “code deployable biological computer” and is now available for pre-order — for a price in the $35,000 range. Don’t want to buy your own device? The company also offers “Wetware-as-a-Service” via which you can rent bio-computer processing power via the cloud. CL1 consists of lab-grown neurons grown on a glass-and-metal electrode array. They’re connected to 59 electrodes, creating a stable neural network. The system is encased in a life support unit that keeps the neurons alive by mimicking the body’s organ functions, including heart pumping, kidney-like waste filtration, and gas mixing of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen. According to Cortical Labs, the neurons are placed in a nutrient solution and receive their information from the company’s Biological Intelligence Operating System (biOS), which creates a simulated world in which the neurons receive sensory input and produce responses that affect the environment. CL1 is designed as a high-performance closed loop, where neurons interact with software in real time. The system can stay alive for up to six months and is compatible with USB devices. Cortical Labs demonstrated an early version of the technology by teaching the system to play Pong. They claim that biological computers can rival or surpass digital AI systems, especially when it comes to understanding the basic mechanisms of intelligence. According to the company’s Chief Scientific Officer, Brett Kagan, a network of 120 CL1 devices could give researchers insight into how genes and proteins affect learning. The technology can also be used in drug development and disease modeling by simulating neurological processes at the molecular level. Read...

Experts are assessing the potential fallout for marine species and nearby wildlife populations. Read...

For years, Windows users have complained about “ads” touting Microsoft services, showing up in various places. Now the alarm bells should be seriously ringing: Microsoft has publicly disclosed plans for monstrous ads within Copilot, as well as a roadmap to what appears to be AI-driven advertising, too. Last week, Microsoft’s advertising blog outlined what it called the “future of audience engagement.” And you already know what that is: AI. Microsoft believes that not only will generative AI provide a more natural interface for users to shop, but agents will assist them. It gets worse: Brands may even deploy their own agent AI, too. “We are committed to helping brands create agents and making it easy to connect them to our audiences,” Microsoft wrote, via Windows Central. “As the first step in this journey, we are launching a pilot product that enables brands to create smart, AI-based agents on their websites.” “Imagine if a website could talk?” Microsoft suggested. Microsoft Advertising’s new digital ad format plants ads right next to a Copilot window.Microsoft It’s hard to say what’s worse: having a virtual version of Elon Musk knock on your virtual screen and offer to help buy you a Tesla, or just a giant ad pop up once you start digging around for the best EV available. But that’s coming, too. Microsoft now says that it has two new ad formats, “entirely designed with Copilot in mind,” it said. “These ads are interactive in nature, adapting to each user input.” The first is what Microsoft calls an “Advertising Showroom” ad, which appears nothing more than a giant ad alongside a Copilot text box. “For example, if a user starts asking questions to Copilot about a particular product and expresses purchase intent, they may be invited to enter a Showroom ads experience,” Microsoft says. “Here, rich sponsored content complements the organic experience, helping to showcase the product benefits as people ask Copilot more questions. This immersive environment allows users to interact with products in a way that closely mirrors the experience of visiting a physical showroom. In the future, the experience will be even richer, as brand agents will be integrated into the Showroom ads allowing people to engage directly with a virtual brand representative.” Suggested ads within Copilot would dynamically create new ways to shop, Microsoft believes.Microsoft Microsoft is also testing dynamic filters, which apparently is designed to narrow down a search to something you can buy: “This feature removes the friction of typing additional questions and quickly narrows down options that are more likely to drive conversions based on an individual’s preferences,” Microsoft said. But it appears that advertisers won’t even have to buy ads. Instead, Microsoft will create them, just for you! Microsoft has started to create what are known as Dynamic Seach ads, using queries as a basis to crate ads. In the future, Microsoft says, the company will “personalize ads,” such as location and seasonal events, specifically for each user’s context. Time and again, we’ve written features that show you how to turn off ads within Windows. But Microsoft’s new vision for the future of ads — start chatting with Copilot, and a digital gremlin will show up, pushing you to buy the latest sneaker, cereal, or credit card — sure doesn’t seem to be consistent with what Microsoft has said before. Save us, ad blockers! Read...

If you’ve got an old laptop sitting at home and taking up space, you may be tempted to dispose of it. But before you give it the heave-ho, know this: Your old laptop actually has more potential than you think and that’s worth exploring, even if you have a new laptop up and running. You can do a lot of neat things with an old laptop, both practical and recreational. To boost productivity, you can turn it into a second monitor or a distraction-free writing device. If you’re looking to have a bit of fun, you can even set it up to play your favorite retro games. If you can avoid ditching your old laptop and adding to the e-waste problem, I’d really recommend it. You’d be saving money and helping the environment–that’s a win-win right there. Here are five creative ways to repurpose your aging laptop.  Install Plex to stream movies, TV shows, and music You can use your old laptop as a central location for all of your movies, music, TV shows, and so on. This is a great solution if you’re sick of juggling files between different devices. I’d recommend downloading the free version of Plex onto your old laptop as a way to store and organize all of your digital media. This app allows you to access your content remotely and from any device that’s connected to your Wi-Fi. It also automatically organizes your movies and grabs information like plot summaries and ratings, saving you a ton of extra work. Plus, you don’t have to pay for multiple streaming devices, which can be a real drag as it adds up and gets criminally expensive. Let the film festival begin!Ben Patterson/Foundry Turn it into a distraction-free writing device If you’re looking to boost your productivity, I’d recommend installing FocusWriter on your old laptop. It’s a simple, lightweight word processor with an interface that hides your menus and toolbars until you’re ready to use them again. It also has a lot of cool features like typewriter sound effects, daily word count goals, timed sessions, and more. It’s free to use and it’s available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Download a lightweight OS for basic tasks Installing a lightweight operating system like Ubuntu or Puppy Linux can breathe new life into your machine. It doesn’t need a lot of power to run and it’s great for day-to-day tasks like checking Facebook, writing papers, and so on. Not only is this an excellent way to extend the life of your old laptop, but you’re also saving money you would’ve spent on a Chromebook or a comparable machine that’s designed for daily use. If you’re going the Ubuntu route, make sure you’ve got at least 4GB of RAM and a dual-core processor to ensure smooth performance. You can also use Ubuntu’s lighter version Lubuntu, which runs on as little as 512MB-1GB of RAM.  Lubuntu is an even lighter version of Ubuntu. Lubuntu Use it as a second monitor I’m a big fan of dual monitor setups. It helps me be more productive at work and it’s also useful when I’m playing a game and need to reference the accompanying Wiki page without minimizing or pausing the window I’m on. If you fancy the idea of using your old laptop as a second monitor, there are a couple ways to go about it. However, make sure both devices are running Windows 10 or 11, otherwise this won’t work. If you’ve got a Windows 10 or 11 PC, you can wirelessly connect to another Windows PC (aka your old laptop) with the Wireless Display feature. The first thing you’ll need to do is set up the Wireless Display feature on your old laptop. To do this, go to Settings > System > Projecting to this PC and set “Some Windows and Android devices can project to this PC” to “Available Everywhere.” Next pick “First Time Only” and then open the Connect app. On the PC you’re projecting from, press Win+P, select Extend, and click on “Connect to a Wireless Display.” Select your old laptop from the list of available devices and voila! You’ve officially transformed your old laptop into a usable secondary display. If the built-in Wireless Display feature doesn’t work for some reason, you can always use Spacedesk, a third-party application that allows you turn another device into a secondary monitor. Once you’ve installed Spacedesk on your main PC and on your old laptop, you’ll want to make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi. Now open the Spacedesk app on your old laptop and connect to your main PC. That’s really all there is to it! Play your favorite retro games Sometimes you just want to relive your childhood by playing your favorite NES games, you know? Fortunately, you can do this on an old laptop. All you have to do is install an emulator, which mimics a gaming console, onto your old laptop. Personally, I’d recommend installing RetroArch. The interface is easy to navigate and it houses multiple consoles in one program, so you don’t have to go installing separate emulators for each console. It also has tons of popular classic games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, Super Metroid, Final Fantasy VII, Spyro the Dragon, and more. To get the most out of your gaming experience, I’d recommend using a USB or Bluetooth controller and connecting an HDMI cable to play on a TV screen. RetroArch Read...

Environment Secretary Steve Reed pledges `only rainwater` will enter Windermere as part of its plan. Read...

If it goes ahead, most landowners would not be able to submit objections to large infrastructure projects to the Environment Court. Read...

“You’re paying for the privilege of leaving your pet in a nice environment,“ a pet cemetery owner says. Read...

`You`re paying for the privilege of leaving your pet in a nice environment,` a pet cemetery owner says. Read...

Like millions of people around the world, I work from home. And doing so means I need to create a healthy work environment that encourages productivity. Working on a PC all day can cause health issues — not just physical ones, but mental ones. Everyone understands the need to maintain good PC work habits for physical health, yet many ignore the mental aspects. Here are some practical things you can do to tweak your home office so that it’s more conducive to better mental health and overall happiness. Avoid relaxing in your office space In my view, the most important thing you can do is keep your work environment separate from where you spend your time relaxing. If you want good work/life balance, then you have to take steps to keep work and life apart, especially when working from home. If you’re lucky enough to own a big house, you probably have lots of options for this, with plenty of other rooms where you hang out in the evenings and while on break. If you live in a smaller dwelling, like an apartment? Separating work life from home life can be tricky. Ross Helen / Shutterstock.com Tricky, but doable. One thing you can do is cordone off a very specific section — maybe even just a corner — of your living space. Use dividers to give it some physical boundaries. Only use that laptop or PC for work-related purposes and keep a separate device for personal stuff. Only sit at that desk when you’re working. That desk is your “work mode” desk. If you want to take a break or relax, physically move yourself elsewhere. For a more drastic solution, if you have a backyard, consider building or commissioning a “home office shed.” These can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000+ depending on size and features. Expensive, I know, but if you’re serious about working from home and you just don’t have an extra room, this could be worth it. Establish (and keep) your office clutter-free You might enjoy living with a lot of “stuff” around you, but there’s evidence that clutter isn’t good for mental health. You’ve heard people say things like “Tidy house, tidy mind”? It’s true, and you should extend that truth to your office workspace. Undrey / Shutterstock.com Get rid of the clutter and tidy things up. If you need it, add more storage space with things like drawers and filing systems. Buy some boxes to keep tucked away in your closet if you need to. Organize your cables so they aren’t strewn all over the place. When you’re done with something, don’t just put it down — put it away. It’s one thing to go clutter-free. It’s another to maintain it. Set yourself up for success by doing the little things as you can instead of letting it all build up into a mess. A disorderly desktop may not seem like a big deal, but it’s a subconscious drain on energy. Keep it clean. Soundproof your home office space Visual clutter isn’t the only thing wearing down on your brain. Loud sounds, distracting hums, and noise pollution from outside can prevent you from being fully focused and stress-free. More than that, the buildup of frustration and anxiety can take a toll on your mental health. insta_photos / Shutterstock.com The simplest and lowest impact thing you can do is to get yourself a pair of noise-canceling headphones or earbuds. For example, the Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Earbuds are solid, but you can go cheaper with the EarFun Air Pro 3 Earbuds or opt for full-on budget-level affordability with the Anker Soundcore P30i Earbuds. Don’t want to wear stuff in your ears all day long? Look into physical soundproofing options. If you own your home, insulate your walls. If you don’t, consider hanging up soundproofing blankets over your door and windows (which is how most sounds get in). A speaker playing brown noise can also help drown out background distractions. Bask in as much natural light as you can Commercial offices rely far too much on artificial lighting for reasons of practicality. If you’re working from home, you can do the opposite — strive to let in as much natural light as possible. Natural light has positive effects on mental health, with numerous studies consistently proving it year after year. Of those many benefits, exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin production, which helps improve mood. (That’s why it’s often referred to as the “feel good” chemical.)  ShotPrime Studio / Shutterstock.com Natural light also helps regulate the internal body clock, leading to better sleep patterns. More sleep (and better quality sleep) itself can boost your mental wellness. Last but not least, natural light can help alleviate symptoms of depression, especially during the winter months. So, whenever possible, set up your workspace in an area with windows and sunshine. Skylights are also helpful. And if natural light simply isn’t an option for whatever reasons, you might try using a UV-free sunlight lamp that mimics sunlight using an LED source. Keep the temperature comfortable Work is stressful enough as it is even when you aren’t shivering in your seat or melting into your chair. When ambient temperatures are too high or too low, it can harm productivity — and when you struggle to finish your tasks on time, it can bring down mental health. Maridav / Shutterstock.com Nobody likes to “waste” money on heating and cooling, I know. But it might help to think of office comfort as an investment. In the winter, raise your thermostat a few degrees and get an electric blanket. In the summer, run a fan and get a portable AC if you need to. With how much time you spend in your home office every day, a quality-of-life boost like this can work wonders for mental health. Suffering through hot and cold isn’t worth it if you can afford otherwise. Use nature to bring your home office alive As humans, we’re instinctively drawn to nature. That’s why so many people find hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities so beneficial to mental health. But unless you’re fortunate enough to have a home office in the middle of the woods, nature likely evades you. Ground Picture / Shutterstock.com To get the same benefits, you need to bring the outdoors inside. There are two main ways to do this: Opt for natural (and natural-looking) materials when building and/or furnishing your home office. A desk with a natural wood finish would be the most obvious example of this. Populate your home office with plants and flowers. Position them so they don’t get in the way of you working but remain visible. Hanging plants are particularly nice as they don’t take up desk space. Cycle in fresh air on a regular basis Fresh air is crucial for anyone looking to enjoy a healthy, happy life. While conditioned air is welcome during the sweltering summer months, it can’t replace the freshness of outdoor air. Sure, there will be days when the weather demands you shut your windows, but when the weather permits, try throwing open those windows more often. Andrey Popov / Shutterstock.com You can kill two birds with one stone here, combining this with the above tip on letting in natural light. All of this assumes you have windows, of course, and that you live in an area that isn’t ruined by excess pollution. Still, you have to get fresh air sometimes. Working from home in stale air day after day will take its toll on your mental wellness. Further reading: The best work-from-home tech products Read...