Computer America

Popzara.com. Nathan Evans, Managing Editor.Throughout Popzara you’ll find views on gaming, movies, technology, cultural icons and so much more. Reviews and previews, in-depth analyses, opinion pieces, conversations, and a regularly updated Podcast keep things interesting and always entertaining. Our diverse editorial staff is committed to bringing this cornucopia of editorial goodness in fair-minded and positive ways, with minimal snark and maximum fun. A little bit of everything for the discriminating reader and curious listener is what you’ll find at Popzara.Topics:  Sinners (2025) | Movie Reviews | Popzara Press Perplexity is building a browser in part to collect customer data for targeted ads OpenAI wants to buy Chrome and make it an “AI-first” experience - Ars Technica Microsoft rolls Windows Recall out to the public nearly a year after announcing it - Ars Technica 4chan has been offline for over a week, and it's probably not coming back | TechSpot Threads is moving to threads.com and adding a bunch of new web features Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders: Sold out at most retailers including GameStop, Walmart, Target, Best Buy and others

Show Notes 25 April 2025Story 1: Scientists turn gunshot residue into glowing semiconductors to crack shooting casesSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Aamir KhollamLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/forensic-tech-makes-gun-residue-glowSee research paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0379073825000532Story 2: Lab-grown chicken nuggets have been cooked up in a robotic bioreactorSource: IFL Science Story by Maddy ChapmanLink: https://www.iflscience.com/lab-grown-chicken-nuggets-have-been-cooked-up-in-a-robotic-bioreactor-78848See also: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1080163Story 3: Scientists develop record cold refrigerator that could unlock full potential of quantum computersSource: Euro News Story by Roselyne MinLink: https://www.euronews.com/next/2025/03/20/scientists-develop-record-cold-refrigerator-that-could-unlock-full-potential-of-quantum-coStory 4: A Grain of Brain, 523 Million Synapses, and the Most Complicated Neuroscience Experiment Ever AttemptedSource: SciTechDaily Story from Allen InstituteLink: https://scitechdaily.com/a-grain-of-brain-523-million-synapses-and-the-most-complicated-neuroscience-experiment-ever-attempted/See also: Scientists reveal advance in brain research once thought impossibleHonorable MentionsStory: WD Touts New Hard Drive Recycling Process As 'Blueprint' for Domestic ReuseSource: PC Magazine Story by Michael KanLink: https://www.pcmag.com/news/wd-touts-new-hard-drive-recycling-process-as-blueprint-for-domestic-reuseStory: Cyborg 1.0: Thai Robocop patrols streets with 360° eyes, live face-tracking powerSource: Interesting Engineering Story by Jijo MalayilLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/ai-thai-robocop-patrols-streets?group=test_aStory: Clean energy from rain? Scientists generate electricity from falling dropletsSource: Euro News Story by Rebecca Ann HughesLink: https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/04/17/clean-energy-from-rain-scientists-generate-electricity-from-falling-dropletsStory: Memory Is Not Confined to Our Brains, Scientists DiscoverSource: ScienceAlert.com Story by Tessa KoumoundourosLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/memory-is-not-confined-to-our-brains-scientists-discover

Show Notes 18 April 2025Story 1: Kawasaki unveils hydrogen-powered robotic horse that you can rideSource: Robotics & Automation News, Story by David EdwardsLink: https://roboticsandautomationnews.com/2025/04/06/kawasaki-unveils-hydrogen-powered-robotic-horse-that-you-can-ride/89601/See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQDhzbTz-9k&t=1sStory 2: Light-based computers are getting close to a commercial launchSource: New Scientist, Story by Matthew SparkesLink: https://www.newscientist.com/article/2475302-light-based-computers-are-getting-close-to-a-commercial-launch/Story 3: The Shape-Shifting Battery That Powers the Future of Wearable TechSource: SciTechDaily, News from Linköping University in SwedenLink: https://scitechdaily.com/the-shape-shifting-battery-that-powers-the-future-of-wearable-tech/Story 4: Scientists Just Built a Mini Human Nervous System That Can Process Pain in a Dish in World FirstSource: ZME Science, Story by Tibi PuiuLink: https://www.zmescience.com/medicine/mind-and-brain/scientists-just-built-a-mini-human-nervous-system-that-can-process-pain-in-a-dish-in-world-first/See research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08808-3Honorable MentionsStory: China turns moss into oil-sucking sponge with 90% reusability to fight deadly spillsSource: The Times of Innovations, Story by Aria PatelLink: https://timesofinnovation.com/environmental-sustainability/china-turns-moss-into-oil-sucking-sponge-with-90-reusability-to-fight-deadly-spills/Story: Scientists Find One Lifeform That Could Survive Extreme Extraterrestrial EnvironmentsSource: IFL Science, Story by James FeltonLink: https://www.iflscience.com/scientists-find-one-lifeform-that-could-survive-extreme-extraterrestrial-environments-78654Story: In a first, breakthrough 3D holograms can be touched, grabbed and pokedSource: Live Science, Story by Roland Moore-ColyerLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/virtual-reality/in-a-first-breakthrough-3d-holograms-can-be-be-touched-grabbed-and-pokedSee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wwKOXxX9CkStory: Clean Energy Surges to Power 40% of Global Electricity in 2024Source: The Renewable Energy InstituteLink: https://www.renewableinstitute.org/clean-energy-surges-to-power-40-of-global-electricity-in-2024/

Show Notes 11 April 2025Story 1: A flexible robot can help emergency responders search through rubbleSource: MIT NewsLink: https://news.mit.edu/2025/sprout-flexible-robot-help-emergency-responders-search-rubble-0402See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaMCTH4qZTEStory 2: Charging electric vehicles 5x faster in subfreezing tempsSource: University of Michigan NewsLink: https://news.umich.edu/charging-electric-vehicles-5x-faster-in-subfreezing-temps/Story 3: Early Study Shows Promise for Eye-Surgery Robot Invented at the University of UtahSource: University of Utah websiteLink: https://www.price.utah.edu/2025/02/19/early-study-shows-promise-for-eye-surgery-robot-invented-at-the-university-of-utahSee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpHt-put4t8See research paper here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scirobotics.adp7700Story 4: World’s smallest pacemaker is activated by light - Tiny device can be inserted with a syringe, then dissolves after it’s no longer neededSource: Northwestern University websiteLink: https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2025/03/worlds-smallest-pacemaker-is-activated-by-light/See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_0hZ8cUwgoHonorable MentionsStory: Unlocking the Future of Green Energy: Exploring Hydrogen Production from Marine MicrobesSource: Science MagazineLink: https://scienmag.com/unlocking-the-future-of-green-energy-exploring-hydrogen-production-from-marine-microbes/Story: Scientists discover major differences in how humans and AI 'think' — and the implications could be significantSource: LiveScience.comLink: https://www.livescience.com/technology/artificial-intelligence/scientists-discover-major-differences-in-how-humans-and-ai-think-and-the-implications-could-be-significantStory: Smartphones Could Diagnose Diseases Using Infrared ScansSource: LabMedica.comLink: https://www.labmedica.com/technology/articles/294804491/smartphones-could-diagnose-diseases-using-infrared-scans.htmlStory: Airbus advances key technologies for next-generation single-aisle aircraftSource: Airbus.comLink: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2025-03-airbus-advances-key-technologies-for-next-generation-single-aisle

Show Notes 4 April 2025Story 1: These smart contact lens prototypes could convince future me to ditch my glasses thanks to wireless power transfer and eye health biosensingSource: TechRadar.com Story by Stephen WarwickLink: https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/these-smart-contact-lens-prototypes-could-convince-future-me-to-ditch-my-glasses-thanks-to-wireless-power-transfer-and-eye-health-biosensingSee also: https://xpanceo.com/Story 2: Wearable ring translates sign language into text - SpellRing is trained on 20,000 words in American Sign Language.Source: Popular Science Story by Andrew PaulLink: https://www.popsci.com/technology/sign-language-translator-ring/See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUtRk-oUeIcStory 3: Terabytes of data in a millimeter crystal - University of Chicago researchers created a "quantum-inspired” revolution in microelectronics, storing classical computer memory in crystal gaps where atoms should beSource: Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering news posting, University of ChicagoLink: https://pme.uchicago.edu/news/terabytes-data-millimeter-crystalSee research paper here: https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/nanoph-2024-0635/htmlStory 4: Cellular 'scaffold' enables myoblast implants on healthy muscle to advance regenerative medicineSource: MedicalXpress.com News from Tokyo Metropolitan UniversityLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-cellular-scaffold-enables-myoblast-implants.htmlSee research paper here: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cell-and-developmental-biology/articles/10.3389/fcell.2024.1502332/fullHonorable MentionsStory: U.S. Firm Develops Solid-State Battery With 25x More Capacity, 1,000 CyclesSource: Tomorrow's World TodayLink: https://www.tomorrowsworldtoday.com/energy/u-s-firm-develops-solid-state-battery-with-25x-more-capacity-1000-cycles/Story: Brazil launches world’s first ethanol power plant to turn sugarcane into electricitySource: Timesofinnovation.com Story by Aria PatelLink: https://timesofinnovation.com/renewable-energy-sector/brazil-launches-worlds-first-ethanol-power-plant-to-turn-sugarcane-into-electricity/See also: https://www.wartsila.com/media/news/26-03-2025-world-first-engine-test-to-convert-sugarcane-into-clean-power-3564930Story: Startup cracks the code to create jet fuel in 'record time' from an unexpected source: 'Novel technology' Carbon dioxide and waterSource: The Cool Down Story by Rick KazmerLink: https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/other/startup-cracks-the-code-to-create-jet-fuel-in-record-time-from-an-unexpected-source-novel-technology/ar-AA1BUtDcStory: Fetus Receives Life-Saving Medication Before Birth in Medical FirstSource: ScienceAlert.com Story by Carly CassellaLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/fetus-receives-life-saving-medication-inside-womb-in-medical-first

Show Notes 28 March 2025Story 1: Ultra-Accurate Optical Atomic Clocks Could Enable True Self-Driving CarsSource: TopSpeed.com Story by Craig ColeLink: https://www.topspeed.com/ultra-accurate-optical-atomic-clocks-could-enable-true-self-driving-cars/See Chalmers University of Technology news article here: https://www.chalmers.se/en/current/news/mc2-microcomb-chips-help-pave-the-way-for-thousand-times-more-accurate-gps-systems/Story 2: This is the first quantum computer you can actually buy (and use, and power): Equal1's Bell-1 uses a standard power socketSource: TechRadar.com Story by Efosa UdinmwenLink: https://www.techradar.com/pro/this-is-the-first-quantum-computer-you-can-actually-buy-and-use-and-power-equal1s-bell-1-uses-a-standard-power-socketSee also: https://www.equal1.com/post/equal1-launches-bell-1-the-first-quantum-system-purpose-built-for-the-hpc-eraStory 3: Shape-shifting robot that swims now explores Mariana Trench, reaching a depth of 34,776-ftSource: InterestingEngineering.com Story by Jijo MalayilLink: https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/shape-shifting-robot-mariana-trench-explorationSee research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00489-ySee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ-2USuQEuUStory 4: Wi-Fi-based technology developed to detect depression in older adultsSource: MedicalXpress.com Story by JMIR PublicationsLink: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-03-wi-fi-based-technology-depression.html#google_vignetteSee research paper here: https://aging.jmir.org/2025/1/e67715/See also: https://www.digitalhealthscience.org/2025/03/03/ai-meets-mental-health-wi-fi-based-depression-detection-for-aging-populations/Honorable Mentions This week all medical newsStory: MIT engineers turn skin cells directly into neurons for cell therapySource: MIT News Story by Anne TraftonLink: https://news.mit.edu/2025/mit-engineers-turn-skin-cells-into-neurons-for-cell-therapy-0313Story: Rosemary and Sage Could Lead to Better Alzheimer’s TreatmentSource: Discover Magazine Story by Jenny LehmannLink: https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/rosemary-and-sage-could-lead-to-better-alzheimers-treatmentSee research paper here: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/14/3/293Story: Scientists develop magnesium-enriched nanofiber patches for safer wound healingSource: Phys.org Story from Shibaura Institute of TechnologyLink: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-scientists-magnesium-enriched-nanofiber-patches.html#google_vignetteStory: Rapidly self-healing electronic skin for machine learning–assisted physiological and movement evaluationSource: ScienceAdvances.orgLink: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ads1301

Show Notes 21 March 2025Story 1: Lithium needed for the battery revolution could be harvested from salt-lake brines or geothermal brine solutionsSource: Imperial College announcement by Ian MundellLink: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/261774/lithium-needed-battery-revolution-could-harvested/See also: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-03-lithium-battery-revolution-harvested-saltwater.htmlSee research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s44221-025-00398-8Story 2: Nanoparticle breakthrough could bring 'holy grail' of solar power within reachSource: LiveScience.com Story by Ben TurnerLink: https://www.livescience.com/chemistry/nanoparticle-breakthrough-could-bring-holy-grail-of-solar-power-within-reachSee the research paper here: https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2025/el/d4el00029cStory 3: Mimicking Human Skin, This Self-Healing Gel Could be Applied to Soft RoboticsSource: Discover Magazine Story by Monica CullLink: https://www.discovermagazine.com/technology/mimicking-human-skin-this-self-healing-gel-could-be-applied-to-soft-roboticsSee the research paper here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41563-025-02146-5#Sec5See also: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/03/250307130138.htmStory 4: Man survives with titanium heart for 100 days – a world firstSource: Nature Magazine Story by Smriti MallapatyLink: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-00782-0See video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW3MMFmDobsHonorable MentionsStory: Scientists Use Amino Acid to Extract 99.99% of Lithium from Old BatteriesSource: Technology NetworksLink: https://www.technologynetworks.com/applied-sciences/news/scientists-use-amino-acid-to-extract-9999-of-lithium-from-old-batteries-397175Story: Spinning, Twisted Light for Next-Generation ElectronicsSource: RealClearScience.comLink: https://www.realclearscience.com/2025/03/14/spinning_twisted_light_for_next-generation_electronics_1097501.htmlStory: Nanoparticle Could Act as Switch in Optical Computers - New nanoparticles can switch between dark and bright statesSource: IEEE Spectrum Story by Katherine BourzacLink: https://spectrum.ieee.org/nanoparticle-optical-switchesStory: James Webb telescope's view of the Flame Nebula is a 'quantum leap' forward for astronomersSource: LiveScience.com Story by Jamie CarterLink: https://www.livescience.com/space/astronomy/space-photo-of-the-week-james-webb-telescopes-view-of-the-flame-nebula-is-a-quantum-leap-forward-for-astronomers

Show Notes 14 March 2025Story 1: No Fiber Needed: New Chip Uses Light to Beam 10Gig Speeds Through the AirSource: PC Magazine Story by Michael KanLink: https://www.pcmag.com/news/no-fiber-taara-chip-uses-light-to-beam-10gig-speeds-through-the-airSee also: https://www.wired.com/story/plaintext-google-taara-chip-internet-by-light/Side note - for more about the Taara Project, see: https://x.company/projects/taara/Story 2: Self-healing Asphalt Could Prevent Potholes and Save Costs on Vehicle RepairsSource: ZME Science Story by Tibi PuiuLink: https://www.zmescience.com/science/news-science/self-healing-asphalt-could-prevent-potholes-and-save-costs-on-vehicle-repairs/Story 3: A protein from tiny tardigrades may help cancer patients tolerate radiation therapySource: MIT News Website Story by Anne TraftonLink: https://news.mit.edu/2025/tiny-tardigrades-protein-may-help-cancer-patients-tolerate-radiation-therapy-0226Story 4: New Implant May Help Patients Regenerate Their Own Heart ValvesSource: Georgia Tech News AnnouncementLink: https://research.gatech.edu/feature/heart-valvesSee video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fMI4VcPiLAHonorable MentionsStory: A private mission to Venus aims to look for signs of life - A probe would bring samples of the planet’s atmosphere to EarthSource: ScienceNews.org Story by Lisa GrossmanLink: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/venus-life-signs-private-missionStory: 11 Emerging Construction Technology Trends in 2025Source: Construction News and Review Story by Alex RadchenkoLink: https://mycnr.com/guest-column/11-emerging-construction-technology-trends-in-2025/?form=MG0AV3Story: Common Mushroom Fiber May Protect Against Flu, Study FindsSource: ScienceAlert.com Story by David NieldLink: https://www.sciencealert.com/common-mushroom-fiber-may-protect-against-flu-study-findsStory: Physicists achieve fully optical readout of superconducting qubitsSource: Phys.org Story by Institute of Science and Technology AustriaLink: https://phys.org/news/2025-02-physicists-fully-optical-readout-superconducting.html

Show NotesStory 1: US team creates ‘holey’ battery with 180-degree flexibility for wearablesSource: InterestingEngineering.com Story by Christopher McFaddenLink: https://interestingengineering.com/energy/holey-battery-for-wearablesStory 2: Stretchable, flexible, recyclable. This plastic is fantasticSource: Princeton Engineering Story by John SullivanLink: https://engineering.princeton.edu/news/2024/12/12/stretchable-flexible-recyclable-plastic-fantasticStory 3: NASA's 'SPHEREx' infrared space telescope is launching this week [note, launched on February 28]. Here's why it's a big dealSource: Space.com Story by Sharmila KuthunurLink: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/missions/nasas-spherex-infrared-space-telescope-is-launching-this-week-heres-why-its-a-big-dealStory 4: The US military wants to explore blood biohacks to boost warfighter performance in extreme conditionsSource: Business Insider Story by Kelsey BakerLink: https://www.businessinsider.com/darpa-exploring-how-blood-biohacks-could-help-warfighters-2025-1

Computer America Stories 02/28/2025The next chapter: Skype Endshttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/2025/02/28/the-next-chapter-moving-from-skype-to-microsoft-teams/ Microsoft launches native Mac app for Copilothttps://www.engadget.com/ai/microsoft-launches-native-mac-app-for-copilot-235945829.html Amazon’s subscription-based Alexa+ looks highly capable—and questionablehttps://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/02/amazons-subscription-based-alexa-looks-highly-capable-and-questionable/ Apple Launches the iPhone 16ehttps://www.nbcnews.com/select/shopping/apple-iphone-16e-preorder-rcna193702  Misc. Movie Time! The Best, Worst, and Everything Else Movies of 2024https://www.popzara.com/podcast/movie-time-the-best-worst-and-everything-else-movies-of-2024/