Facial recognition technology can help the platform be 'faster, more accurate and more effective' against imposters, the software giant said.

Read more: Meta to test facial recognition to deter scammers

The operation has led to the arrest of 41 individuals, with 65 others still under investigation.

Read more: Interpol takes down 22,000 servers and IP addresses linked to cyberthreats

Founded in 2021, this start-up wants to help US students access quality maths education in a virtual setting.

Read more: Brighterly: Building an edtech solution to a US math problem

BioBuzz CEO and founder Chris Frew discusses the complex biotech sector and the hopeful signs that it is getting ready to blossom once again.

Read more: Are new hiring models helping thaw the biotech winter?

Despite our best efforts, we all get fatigued at work from time to time, so how can you best conserve physical and mental energy on the job?

Read more: Top tips to keep your work batteries charged and running

The Trinity spin-out is looking to raise €3.6m to conduct its first clinical trials.

Read more: Plio Surgical wins big at the InterTradeIreland start-up competition

The annual event will see a number of familiar Irish start-ups make an appearance, including Manna, Lua Health and Binarii Labs.

Read more: Enterprise Ireland announces a 24-company delegation to Slush

The Facebook-owned photo-sharing app introduced face filters in a previous update, but now users can have a little fun in their live videos.

Read more: Instagram adds face filters to live video

Google wants to help parents set healthy online boundaries and guidelines for their children.

Read more: Google launches Family Link internet safety app in Ireland

Never lose a gem of a tweet to the ravages of the algorithmic timeline again.

Read more: Twitter is testing a feature allowing users to bookmark tweets

Cabin fever hitting you hard? Google’s fun new game will keep you occupied.

Read more: Google Song Maker is the perfect time waster to while away the storm

Google has launched its new router – Google Wifi – in Ireland, with the promise of ending the dreaded reception blackspots found in some people’s homes.

Read more: Google’s new Wi-Fi router promises to end reception ‘blackspots’

The announcement from Perplexity comes ahead of this year’s highly contentious US presidential election.

Read more: AI start-up launches election hub for US voters

The energy company said that the project has the potential to power 115,000 Irish homes for up to two hours at a time.

Read more: SSE Renewables to develop battery storage site in Offaly

Anton Shilov reports via Tom's Hardware: FFmpeg is an open-source video decoding project developed by volunteers who contribute to its codebase, fix bugs, and add new features. The project is led by a small group of core developers and maintainers who oversee its direction and ensure that contributions meet certain standards. They coordinate the project's development and release cycles, merging contributions from other developers. This group of developers tried to implement a handwritten AVX512 assembly code path, something that has rarely been done before, at least not in the video industry. The developers have created an optimized code path using the AVX-512 instruction set to accelerate specific functions within the FFmpeg multimedia processing library. By leveraging AVX-512, they were able to achieve significant performance improvements -- from three to 94 times faster -- compared to standard implementations. AVX-512 enables processing large chunks of data in parallel using 512-bit registers, which can handle up to 16 single-precision FLOPS or 8 double-precision FLOPS in one operation. This optimization is ideal for compute-heavy tasks in general, but in the case of video and image processing in particular. The benchmarking results show that the new handwritten AVX-512 code path performs considerably faster than other implementations, including baseline C code and lower SIMD instruction sets like AVX2 and SSSE3. In some cases, the revamped AVX-512 codepath achieves a speedup of nearly 94 times over the baseline, highlighting the efficiency of hand-optimized assembly code for AVX-512.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) blocked Amazon's bid to access more power from the Susquehanna nuclear plant for its Pennsylvania data center, citing grid reliability and consumer cost concerns. The Hill reports: In a 2-1 decision, the FERC found the regional grid operator, PJM Interconnection, failed to prove that the changes to the transmission agreement with Susquehanna power plant were necessary. The regulator's two Republican commissioners, Mark Christie and Lindsay See, outvoted Democratic chair Willie Phillips. The chair's two fellow Democratic commissioners, David Rosner and Judy Chang, sat out the vote. "Co-location arrangements of the type presented here present an array of complicated, nuanced and multifaceted issues, which collectively could have huge ramifications for both grid reliability and consumer costs," Christie wrote in a concurring statement. In a dissenting statement, Phillips argued the deal with Amazon "represents a 'first of its kind' co-located load configuration" and that Friday's decision is a "step backward for both electric reliability and national security." "We are on the cusp of a new phase in the energy transition, one that is characterized as much by soaring energy demand, due in large part to AI, as it is by rapid changes in the resource mix," Phillips wrote. Amazon purchased a 960-megawatt data center next to the Susquehanna power plant for $650 million earlier this year. Following the announcement, PJM sought to increase the amount of power running directly to the co-located data center. However, the move faced pushback from regional utilities, including Exelon and American Electric Power (AEP).

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

According to a partial teardown video of Apple's new Mac mini, the new machine features modular storage that can be removed. "As we saw with the Mac Studio, however, replacing the modular storage is complicated," notes MacRumors. The teardown also reveals two 128GB storage chips in the 256GB model, enabling faster SSD speeds comparable to higher-capacity versions. From the report: The criticism surrounding Apple's decision to use a single 256GB chip in some base-model Macs a few years ago primarily came from a vocal contingent of tech enthusiasts, and the average customer is unlikely to even notice the slower speeds in common day-to-day tasks. Nevertheless, it appears that customers who do want the fastest SSD speeds do not need to worry about which storage capacity they choose when ordering the new Mac mini.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Sodium-ion batteries are cheaper than lithium-ion batteries — and they're also more environmentally friendly. And "In the past few years, sodium-ion battery production has increased in the United States," reports the Washington Post, with a new factory planned to manufacture them "in the same way as lithium-ion batteries, just with different ingredients. Instead of using expensive materials like lithium, nickel and cobalt, these will be made of sodium, iron and manganese..." Last month, sodium-ion battery manufacturer Natron Energy announced it would open a "gigafactory" in North Carolina that would produce 24 gigawatt hours of batteries annually, enough energy to charge 24,000 electric vehicles. But sodium-ion batteries are still early in their development compared with lithium-ion, and they have yet to hit the market on a massive scale. "It's unlikely sodium-ion could displace lithium-ion anytime soon," said Keith Beers, polymer science and materials chemistry principal engineer at technical consultancy firm Exponent... The biggest limitation of sodium-ion batteries is their weight. Sodium weighs nearly three times as much as lithium, and it cannot store the same amount of energy. As a result, sodium-ion batteries tend to be larger. Jens Peters, an economics professor at the University of Alcalá in Madrid, said the energy density could be improved over time in sodium-ion batteries. But, he added, "what we found out so far in our assessments is that it is not a game changer." Sodium-ion batteries are touted to be the environmentally friendly alternative to their lithium-ion counterparts, thanks to their raw materials. Sodium, iron and manganese are all abundant elements on the planet, so they require less energy to extract and cost less... Sodium-ion batteries also last longer than lithium-ion ones because they can withstand more charge cycles, said Wendell Brooks, co-CEO of Natron Energy. "Our product can have millions of cycles," said Brooks, "where lithium-ion would have three to five thousand cycles and wear out a lot faster...." Sodium-ion batteries aren't the best fit for smartphones or electric vehicles, which need to store lots of energy. However, one advantage is their low cost. And they could be a good candidate in situations where the size of the battery isn't a concern, like energy storage. "When something is built out to support grid or backup storage, it doesn't need to be very dense. It's staying put," Beers said. Natron will invest nearly $1.4 billion in the factory "to meet the rapidly expanding demand for critical power, industrial and grid energy storage solutions," according to their announcement. "Natron's high-performance sodium-ion batteries outperform lithium-ion batteries in power density and recharging speed, do not require lithium, cobalt, copper, or nickel, and are non-flammable... Natron's batteries are the only UL-listed sodium-ion batteries on the market today, and will be delivered to a wide range of customer end markets in the industrial power space, including data centers, mobility, EV fast charging, microgrids, and telecom, among others."

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

Wednesday Cuba was hit by a major hurricane which took down its entire power grid again, this time for about 24 hours, according to CNN: Videos of the aftermath showed power infrastructure turned into a mangled mess and power poles down on streets. Hundreds of technicians were mobilized Thursday to reestablish power connections, according to state media... Operations at two electrical plants were partially restored and parts of eastern and central Cuba had electricity back up by Thursday afternoon, state media reported... The country's power grid has collapsed multiple times, including when Hurricane Oscar hit in October and killed at least 7 people. In the capital of Havana, where 2 million people live, power had been restored to less than 20% of the city by late Friday afternoon, . "Authorities had not yet given an estimate for when power would be fully restored..." Then tonight, CNN reported: A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of eastern Cuba on Sunday, causing material damage in several regions as the island continues to recover from widespread blackouts and the impact of two hurricanes over the past few weeks. The earthquake was reported about 39 km (24 miles) south of Bartolomé Masó before noon local time, about an hour after a 5.9 magnitude quake rocked the area, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. "There have been landslides, damage to homes and power lines," Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said, adding that authorities are evaluating the situation to start recovery efforts.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.

UCD's Prof Kate Robson Brown leads the development of analytical models that predict the lifetime of composites in low-Earth orbit.

Read more: UCD professor part of team developing new space materials

The findings open the door for new microbial-based therapy for anxiety and depression, according to UCC.

Read more: Gut bacteria affects stress response, UCC scientists find

The project was described by judges as a 'creative and inspiring submission that will spark curiosity in space exploration'.

Read more: ‘Runtime Terror’ wins Dublin’s NASA Space Apps Challenge

The first funding call is open until 20 January 2025 with a subsequent one scheduled to open next September.

Read more: Aquarius opens funding call for marine and freshwater research

PwC highlights that the growing demand for energy continues to outpace the adoption of renewables.

Read more: We need to decarbonise 20 times faster to stay on target, PwC says

The European Space Agency has given the go-ahead for initial work on a mission to visit an asteroid called (99942) Apophis. If approved at a key meeting next year, the robotic spacecraft, known as the Rapid Apophis Mission for Space Safety (Ramses), will rendezvous with the asteroid in February 2029. Apophis is 340 metres wide, about the same as the height of the Empire State Building. If it were to hit Earth, it would cause wholesale destruction hundreds of miles from its impact site. The energy released would equal that of tens or hundreds of nuclear weapons, depending on the…

This story continues at The Next Web

New data from LinkedIn on the most in-demand jobs on the platform in the third quarter of this year reveals that software engineering is in second place. Just pipped to the post by sales roles, it is clear that software engineering and development pros are in high demand. Additionally, full stack engineers and application developers feature in the top ten in-demand roles at places eight and ten respectively. Software roles are in such high prominence because software powers pretty much everything. According to McKinsey, these days, “Every company is a software company.” Traditional bricks and mortar businesses are now increasingly…

This story continues at The Next Web

In 1991, Sony brought the first rechargeable lithium-ion battery to market. The unique chemistry proved a game-changer in energy storage. Today everything from EVs to smartphones depends on it, with demand skyrocketing.  But lithium is rare, most of it comes from unstable markets outside Europe, and its extraction can cause extensive pollution. We need more lithium to enable the green transition and yet, currently, its use is unsustainable — both environmentally and economically. We’re stuck in a paradox. Munich-based startup Tozero believes that battery recycling offers a way out. Recycling batteries is far from a new concept, but the German venture…

This story continues at The Next Web

This might be a better solution to lower your GPU fans' noise while still getting the required performance.

Many online shopping sites offer free international shipping, which can save you a fortune when shopping online! Here are 20.

There are so many ways you can put that dusty old monitor to good use.

Scammers are using photos of your house to encourage you to send them money, but here's why you shouldn't.

Scheduled to be completed by 2016, the full vision of Briggs and his friend, Allan Lutes, to build a stronger veteran’s community at Camp Liberty is within reach.

The nation will join former President Jimmy Carter in celebrating his 100th birthday with Habitat for Humanity's 38th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.

The BBB International Torch Awards for Ethics recognize businesses that maintain outstanding dedication to upholding ethical business practices and promoting trust in the marketplace.  

Revolutionary tool takes roofing contractor professionalism to a higher level.

Don't ignore the problem - address inappropriate behavior early and consistently.

Being a supervisor is always challenging, but using these basic skills can help relieve your frustration.

A family legacy and great advice from a college professor led Z Roofing & Waterproofing to massive growth.

From Google’s high-tech campus to international airports, Kodiak Roofing & Waterproofing has roofed them all thanks to its dedication to safety and continuous training for employees.

RestoreMasters Contracting continues on its meteoric rise in the commercial roofing sector by embracing its values of service, sacrifice and delivery.

Quality and an excellent work ethic define this family-owned commercial contractor.

Continuously improving customer service and maintaining open communication channels is critical to building trust and sustaining long-term success at Stonebrook Exteriors.

Roofing contractors sought alternatives during a spate of challenges, a pandemic followed by supply chain disruptions and capped by a spike in inflation. But was it at a price?

German manufacturer K2 unveiled its new GreenRoof Vento mounting system for green rooftops at Intersolar Europe 2023.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory examined three different types of roofing strategies and their impact on near-surface temperature and cooling energy demand.

NanoTech Materials has partnered with Tesson Roofing to form a joint venture called Cool Roof Coating Systems LLC, which plans to combat Arizona's summer heat.

NanoTech Materials, Inc. announced a move to a new 42,000-square-foot Houston-area facility, marking a milestone in expanding its Cool Roof Coat production to meet high demand.

With a home’s roof being the single most vulnerable area for ignition in the event of a wildfire, materials such as quality metal roofing systems that carry a Class A rating for fire resistance are essential.

Learn about some of the top concerns with deliveries on construction projects and how to train drivers to stay safe

OSHA and Noble Texas Builders have entered into a one-year partnership to enhance worker safety during construction at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley – McAllen Independent School District Collegiate Academy in McAllen, Texas.