Hard Drive Stats for 2019
As of December 31, 2019, Backblaze had 124,956 spinning hard drives. They take a look at the failure rates of those drives. The total AFR for 2019 rose significantly in 2019. About 75% of the different drive models experienced a rise in AFR from 2018 to 2019. There are two primary drivers behind this rise….
Scientists detect an unexplainable radio signal from outer space
For the first time, scientists have detected a radio signal from outer space that repeats at regular intervals. The series of “fast radio bursts” – short-lived pulses of radio waves that come from across the universe – were detected about once an hour for four days and then stopped, only to start up again 12 days…
Facebook, YouTube in feud with facial recognition company
Facebook said it has demanded New York-based Clearview AI stop accessing or using information from its flagship site and Instagram. Facebook joined YouTube, Twitter and payment service Venmo on Wednesday in demanding that a facial recognition company stop harvesting user images to identify the people in them, which the startup does as part of its…
Why you should avoid public phone charging stations
Experts warn that hackers can load malware into charging stations at place like airports and malls, allowing them to steal the data of unsuspecting users. The practice, known as “juice jacking,” occurs when people plug in to “juice” up their phones and hackers use malware in the charging station or USB cable to “jack” their…
Paper maps are still a thing
I couldn’t resist posting this story on how paper maps are still a thing. Why? …“there are places where the GPS signal doesn’t work” or “the routing is ridiculous.” For more, check out this USA Today story.
Now a smart light bulb system got hacked
This is getting ridiculous…now a smart light bulb system has gotten hacked. Security researchers from Check Point tested the Philips Hue models, the most popular smart lights brand, and says it successfully hacked into a home’s computer network. It went to Philips to show its findings and says Philips has now fixed the issue, but…
Scientists Dive Into ‘Midnight Zone’
A team of scientists is preparing to dive deep into the depths of the Indian Ocean. A team of scientists is preparing to dive deep into the depths of the Indian Ocean — into a “Midnight Zone” where light barely reaches but life still thrives. For more, check out this IEN story.
Bio-Inspired Wings for Small Drones
Researchers from Brown University have designed a new type of wing that could make small fixed-wing drones far more stable and efficient. The new wing replaces the smooth contour found on the leading edges of most airplane wings with a thick flat plate and a sharp leading edge. For more, check out this IEN story.
A Coronavirus hospital built in 10 days
China’s new Coronavirus hospital was built in 10 days! Construction began Jan. 24 with a crew of 7,000 people working around the clock. Chinese state media carried live video of the construction site and showed the sheer scale and speed of the project. For more on this story, check out NBC News.com.
A new type of Northern Lights
In October 2018, several aurora enthusiasts who regularly photograph the shimmering lights noticed something unusual. Now, new research has found that these unusual displays are a new type of aurora, nicknamed “the dunes” because their appearance in the night sky resembles wind-sculpted ridges. Scientists say studying how these auroras form could help them better understand…