Author: Andrew Rogers

Scientists have uncovered a clear link between rising temperatures and worsening moods. They examined over a billion social media posts from 157 countries. The analysis showed that whenever temperatures exceeded 35°C, expressed emotions turned more negative. Low-income regions experienced the strongest shifts, with far greater negativity than wealthier countries. Researchers from MIT and international institutions gave each post a sentiment score and matched it to weather data. Compared with cooler days, hot days produced significant increases in negative content. The findings point to a direct emotional consequence of climate change. Anger, Aggression, and Heat Past research supports this connection. Drivers…

Cryptocurrencies gain the most momentum in Asia, with the US pushing harder under Trump’s second term. Europe, however, invests its focus in regulation rather than speed of growth. Since 2009, Bitcoin has risen from fractions of a dollar to roughly $120,000, symbolizing the maturity of the digital asset industry. What began outside traditional finance now stands as a key global market under the watch of lawmakers and investors alike. The EU’s MiCA directive has set new standards: exchanges must separate client funds, undergo audits, pay registration fees, and verify every transaction. Regulators highlight this as vital for safety and consumer…

Duolingo apologised after users spotted a German exercise calling J.K. Rowling mean. The company confirmed the content has been removed. The lesson asked if students liked Harry Potter books. The official answer included a personal judgement about the author. A spokesperson said Duolingo regretted the offence and stressed the platform’s lessons should remain focused on language, not personal opinions. Rowling’s public stance on trans rights has made her a polarising figure, drawing criticism from activists, fans, and fellow writers. Daniel Radcliffe said Rowling’s remarks saddened him, adding he will continue to support equality and rights for LGBTQ+ people. Wider Literary…

Google has unveiled major upgrades to its Gemini AI, pushing smartphones and wearables closer towards becoming proactive digital assistants. The new Magic Cue feature, debuting on the Pixel 10 range, is designed to anticipate user needs by connecting data from across apps like Gmail, Maps and Calendar. When making an airline call, booking details can appear automatically in the dialer, while a message about brunch may prompt café suggestions alongside calendar availability. Analysts view this integration as an early step toward “agentic AI” — assistants that act autonomously with context. Running on Google’s new Tensor G5 chip, tools like Magic…

Scientists warn that global sperm counts have fallen by more than 60% in the past 50 years, with the rate of decline doubling since 2000. While lifestyle factors play a role, researchers highlight environmental toxins – especially chemicals in plastics – as a central cause. Phthalates, which soften plastics, lower testosterone, while bisphenols, which harden them, mimic estrogen. These endocrine disruptors are especially harmful in pregnancy, where exposure can alter male fetal development and lead to reduced sperm counts in adulthood. Politics Stalls While Risks Grow The fertility crisis mirrors the rise of global plastic use since the mid-20th century,…

Chocolate can take on many flavors – from fruity and floral to rich and bitter. Now researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding the fermentation of cocoa beans. An international team led by Prof. David Salt from the University of Nottingham studied beans from three regions in Colombia and showed how specific microbes during fermentation play a decisive role in shaping the final taste. Nine key microbes as the “secret ingredient” While beans from Santander and Huila developed fruity and floral notes during fermentation, those from Antioquia lacked these flavors due to the activity of different microbes. Using genetic analyses,…