☕️ Black Holes and Dark Energy Connection Explored

Good morning. Yep, we’re back! The Daily Dance newsletter has evolved into the Science Brew. We’ll be back in your inbox tomorrow, the day after that and every other day after that untill the end of time. If getting daily science news straight from a scientist sounds horrible, feel free to unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.

I chose to discontinue the Daily Dance many moons ago due to a lack of technical infrastructure to support scaling it, referring it, growing it and sponsoring it. Well, I’ve solved all of these issues and I couldn’t be more excited to start creating it each day once again.

If you arrived here from my YouTube channel (Dylan J. Dance) you may know I haven’t posted for a while! I have plans to start posting again soon.

Lately, I’ve been prioritizing my science. The PhD is going strong and I’m starting to make some progress. I’ll share more in due course but as a reminder and for those that don’t know, my project is in the area of astroparticle physics but touches on aspects of astrophysics, fundamental physics, quantum physics, particle physics and engineering. I’m trying to build a new type of quantum sensor to detect axion dark matter — more on that in the future. Suffice to say that I have not yet found dark matter. Yes, I have checked my pockets and under my bed.

—Dylan J. Dance

SCIENCE

🌀 Black Holes and Dark Energy Connection Explored. A new study suggests black holes might contain dark energy, which may grow alongside the universe. Researchers found evidence that as new black holes formed from massive stars, the density of dark energy increased in tandem. “The next question is where these black holes are and how they've been moving for the past 8 billion years," said co-author Steve Ahlen. The work adds weight to the hypothesis that black holes are intricately linked with the mysterious dark energy shaping our universe.

🐟 Oceanographers Document Largest Predation Event. MIT oceanographers recorded the largest predation event ever observed in the ocean off the coast of Norway. During the spawning season of capelin, over 10 million fish were consumed by cod in just a few hours. The dramatic interaction highlights how natural catastrophic events can alter the predator-prey balance in mere hours. “This is happening over tens of kilometers, with prey and predator coming together in a coherent survival battle,” said lead researcher Nicholas Makris.

🔬 Path to New Superheavy Elements Uncovered. Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered a promising way to create new superheavy elements, advancing our ability to reach beyond current limits. By using isotopes like 50-titanium in fusion reactions, researchers successfully produced livermorium, edging closer to the so-called "island of stability," a region theorized to have elements with longer half-lives. These discoveries pave the way for further research into exotic, potentially more stable elements beyond uranium and oganesson.

TECH

🤖 LinkedIn Launches AI Hiring Agent. LinkedIn has introduced its first AI agent, the Hiring Assistant, designed to handle various recruitment tasks such as drafting job descriptions, sourcing candidates, and managing follow-ups. Already live with a select group of customers, this agent aims to free recruiters from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on more impactful aspects of their job. “We’re really focused on making Hiring Assistant great," said Erran Berger, VP of engineering.

🎭 Robert Downey Jr. Says He'll Sue Over AI Likeness. Actor Robert Downey Jr. revealed on a podcast that he intends to “sue all future executives” if they use AI replicas of his likeness without consent. His comments come amid concerns regarding AI's impact on performers, particularly in light of recent strikes in the industry. Downey highlighted his desire to prevent unauthorized replication of his digital image, even posthumously.

🛑 Linus Torvalds Criticizes AI Hype. Linux creator Linus Torvalds spoke at the Open Source Summit, saying that the AI industry is “90% marketing and 10% reality." Although intrigued by AI’s potential, Torvalds criticized the excessive hype surrounding the technology. He suggested the tech landscape needs another five years before practical AI applications become mainstream.

MEDICAL

🧠 Brain Changes Linked to Lifetime Cannabis Use. A study published in BMJ Mental Health found that lifetime cannabis use is associated with changes in brain structure and function. Cannabis users were observed to have poorer white matter integrity and weaker neuronal connectivity in several brain regions. However, genetic analysis did not confirm a causal link, suggesting other factors, like environment or family history, might be at play. Researchers called for further studies on the effects of heavy cannabis use, particularly its potency.

👃 Loss of Smell Linked to Over 100 Diseases. New research by the University of California, Irvine, revealed a link between olfactory loss and inflammation in 139 medical conditions. Led by Professor Michael Leon, the study emphasized the often-overlooked role of smell in overall health, suggesting olfactory therapies may help mitigate symptoms of various diseases. “Olfactory enrichment could improve brain health,” said Leon, underscoring a potential non-invasive treatment approach.

WORLD

🪐 Four Astronauts Return After Unexpected 8-Month Space Stay. After an unplanned 8-month mission, four astronauts returned safely to Earth. Initially set for a 6-month stay, the mission was extended due to a series of technical issues and scientific opportunities. The crew's resilience and adaptability received high praise from space agencies around the world.

💸 JPMorgan Suing Customers Over ‘Infinite Money Glitch’. JPMorgan Chase has initiated lawsuits against several customers who exploited an infinite money glitch in their systems. The glitch allowed customers to withdraw more money than was available in their accounts. The bank is now taking legal action to recover these unauthorized funds and to ensure system vulnerabilities are fully addressed.

Thanks for reading!