Cutting An Infinite Pancake

"A team of mathematicians seeks to cut an infinitely large pancake into as many pieces as possible, in a new take on an old puzzle."

Hsieh Forbes Column: New AI Physician Will Handle Some Treatment Decisions Without Human Involvement

My latest Forbes column is now out: "New AI Physician Will Handle Some Treatment Decisions Without Human Involvement"

Chinese Hack Of UK Leaders' Phones

"China hacked Downing Street phones for years"

China hacked the mobile phones of senior officials in Downing Street for several years, The Telegraph can disclose. 

The spying operation is understood to have compromised senior members of the government, exposing their private communications to Beijing. 

State-sponsored hackers are known to have targeted the phones of some of the closest aides to Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak between 2021 and 2024. 

 It is unclear whether the hack included the mobile phones of the prime ministers themselves, but one source with knowledge of the breach said it went "right into the heart of Downing Street"...

Oatmeal On AI Art

The Oatmeal (Matt Inman) on AI art.

Vitamin D Vs. Flu

"Scientists Say This Supplement May Help Protect You From the Flu"

While there are plenty of natural ways to boost your immune system, new research points to a supplement that may help curb severe reactions to the flu: vitamin D. 

That's the takeaway from new research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. For the study, researchers analyzed health data from 36,258 people who participated in the UK Biobank, a long-term biomedical research resource. 

The researchers discovered that people with a severe vitamin D deficiency (measured as less than 15 nmol/L) had a 33% higher rate of being hospitalized for a respiratory tract infection compared to those who had vitamin D levels of 75 nmol/L or higher. For each 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D, the hospitalization rate for respiratory tract infections dropped by 4%.

2026 Buzzwords

"Global buzzwords that will be buzzing in your ear in 2026". Not a big fan of any of these buzzwords, tbh.

AI Prescriptions

"Artificial intelligence begins prescribing medications in Utah"

The company has also secured a one-of-a-kind malpractice insurance policy covering an AI system, which means the system is insured and held to the same level of responsibility as a doctor would be.

How Browsers Work

"How Browsers Work"

Nanoparticles Against Bone Tumors

"Magnetic nanoparticles fight bone cancer and help healing"

Researchers have developed a magnetic nanomaterial that can kill bone cancer cells and support bone regeneration at the same time. The material heats up under a magnetic field to destroy tumors, while its bioactive coating helps it bond to bone and stimulate healing. Tests showed rapid formation of bone-like minerals, a key sign of successful integration. The breakthrough could lead to smarter, less invasive treatments for bone tumors.

Financial Impact Of Alien Disclosure?

The Times (UK): "Bank of England must plan for financial crisis sparked by aliens"

The Bank of England must plan for a financial crisis being triggered by an official announcement confirming the existence of alien life, one of its former policy experts has claimed. 

Helen McCaw served as a senior analyst in financial security at the UK’s central bank, preparing for events that could impact the economy. 

She has now written to Andrew Bailey, the Bank’s governor, urging him to organise contingencies for the possibility that the White House may one day confirm we are not alone in the universe...

We're not yet done with January, and the crazy is already turned up to 11! 

Medical Emergencies In Space

Video: "What happens in space during a medical emergency?" (BBC.)

Mathematical Puzzles

Peter Winkler: "Mathematical Puzzles". These look awesome.

AI Math Problem Solving Update

"AxiomProver Solves All Problems at Putnam 2025"

Replacing Hubble

"Former Google CEO plans to singlehandedly fund a Hubble telescope replacement". (Via N.L.)

Knee Cartilage Update

"Anti-Aging Injection Regrows Knee Cartilage and Prevents Arthritis". (Via H.R.)

TriFold Phone

"Samsung's Galaxy Z TriFold Is the 'Phablet' You're Looking For"

 

Alzheimer's Update

"Simple Finger Prick Test Can Diagnose Alzheimer's"

Big EVs

"Swedish firm's massive 50-ton electric vehicles to help extract gold from Canadian mine". (Via H.R.)

Unlike their diesel-powered alternatives, these new BEVs produce no exhaust fumes, which is especially important in underground mining operations. Eldorado already tested two of these trucks, and they worked well enough that the company ordered another ten.

"Smart Toilets"?

"AI toilets are here"

Real Life Pascal's Wager

"Dilbert Creator Scott Adams Announces He Will Convert To Christianity Before He Dies".  

Unfortunately, Adams has terminal cancer and likely will not live much longer. He has chosen to convert to Christianity after many years of being a non-believer:

“I’m now convinced that the risk-reward is completely smart,” Adams said to his Christian listeners. “If it turns out that there’s nothing there, I’ve lost nothing, but I’ve respected your wishes and I like doing that. If it turns out there is something there and the Christian model is the closest to it, I win.”