Astronomers capture birth of a magnetar, confirming link to some of universe's brightest exploding stars

"Astronomers have for the first time seen the birth of a magnetar — a highly magnetized, spinning neutron star — and confirmed that it's the power source behind some of the brightest exploding stars in the cosmos. The finding corroborates a theory proposed by a UC Berkeley physicist 16 years ago and establishes a new phenomenon in exploding stars: supernovae with a 'chirp' in their light curve that is caused by general relativity."

UC Berkeley News »

An iPhone loophole just appeared

Buying a new iPhone usually involves a sad understanding that your bank account is about to take a massive hit — because they get more expensive with each model. But now the iPhone 17e is… wait… $299.99? Doesn't sound right, but it is. Buy the iPhone 17e for $299.99 and activate the Total 5G+ Unlimited plan from Total Wireless, and you'll receive $25 in service credits applied to your bill every month for 12 months. For once, the "should I upgrade?" conversation is a lot shorter and way easier to say yes to. [Ad]

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Nvidia wants to slop-ify your PC games with its new AI upscaler

"Tired of DLSS 4.5? Nvidia said DLSS 5 is on the way, and it's bringing real-time slop-ification to PC gaming. The best I can say is if you love uncanny and overly manicured AI images of people, you'll love what Nvidia hopes to do to your favorite game. Nvidia announced at GTC 2026 that DLSS 5 brings forth a new 'real-time rendering model' that is supposed to make in‑game lighting effects look even more realistic bouncing off characters' skin. Actually, it does much more than that. Nvidia said that AI takes each game's color and motion vector and 'infuses' the scene with new materials. Like many generative AI video apps, the AI is supposed to be able to keep the images consistent from frame to frame. And just like an AI video, the characters in-game look like homunculi drafted from the bargain bin of internet supermodel stock images."

Gizmodo »

How sewage treatment plants could handle food waste, sparing landfills and the climate

"Every day, food scraps disappear into trash bags and are hauled away and forgotten. But that waste could be turned into something productive. Across the United States, about 97 million metric tons of food waste are discarded each year, of which about 37 million metric tons end up buried in landfills. Once underground, that organic material breaks down without oxygen and releases methane, a short-lived yet powerful greenhouse gas. At the same time, the nutrients and energy stored in that food are permanently lost. But there is a better way."

The Conversation »

What will your retirement look like?

Planning for retirement raises many questions. Have you considered how much it will cost, and how you'll generate the income you'll need to pay for it? For many, these questions can feel overwhelming, but answering them is a crucial step forward for a comfortable future. Start by understanding your goals, estimating your expenses, and identifying potential income streams. The Definitive Guide to Retirement Income can help you navigate these essential questions. If you have $1,000,000 or more saved for retirement, download your free guide today to learn how to build a clear and effective retirement income plan. Discover ways to align your portfolio with your long-term goals, so you can reach the future you deserve. [Ad]

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Evidence of an Ice Age forest emerges from the North Sea floor

"The North Sea is home to the remains of a vast land that has been lost to time and is referred to as Doggerland, the area of land that connected Great Britain to continental Europe following the last glacial (ice) age. Recent genetic research shows that this submerged area of land supported trees many thousands of years earlier than previously believed."

The Brighter Side »